BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Fort Hays State's Dominique Jones erupted for 34 points to lead the Tigers to an 81-76 win over No. 20 Midwestern State Friday night in the South Central Regional Challenge at Bruin Fieldhouse.

The Tigers benefited from a pair of quick trigger technical fouls by an all-Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) officiating crew that sent MSU head coach Grant McCasland packing after the Mustangs had re-established a 10-point lead on one of Chris Hagan's two 3-pointers at 36-26 with 4:09 remaining in the first half.

Jones hit each of the technical free throws and Ken Bowman hit one of two charity tosses as MSU junior forward Thomas Colbert was whistled for a blocking foul to touch off the sequence.

"It's unfortunate and I feel bad for my guys," MSU coach Grant McCasland said. "I take full responsibility for the loss. I feel the momentum swing happened during that series of technical (fouls) and that's on me."

McCasland had been warned by lead official Larry Jacobsen earlier in the half after MSU junior Michael Loyd was bumped into the goal standard.

"I felt it was getting a little physical and had to protect my player," said McCasland who was cautioned at that point.

The Midwestern coach received his first technical from Jacobsen from across the floor before taking on his second from referee Bryan Hanson to merit the mild mannered mentor his first ejection of his coaching career.

"I'd sat down and asked if he really thought it was a block," McCasland said. "He said, 'that's what I called, wasn't it?' I just wanted to clarify that he wasn't trying to be vindictive and he gave me a T."

The series of free throws cut Midwestern's advantage in half, and then Jones and Moses Dayee nailed consecutive treys as the Tigers needed just 72 seconds to change a 10-point deficit into a 37-36 lead with 2:57 left until halftime.

"I felt like we were in control of the basketball game before I left," McCasland said.

The Mustangs rebounded to take a 40-37 lead into the break and led by as many as six in the second half.

Fort Hays State took advantage of 41-25 edge in free throw attempts benefitting from the Mustangs' deep foul trouble as David Terrell and Keonte' Logan fouled out while four others had four fouls each.

Still, there were six ties and seven lead changes in the final 12:19 of the game with the Tigers finally taking control with 8-2 run culminated by Jones' baseline jumper for a 75-69 lead with 1:34 to play.

Moses connected on another trey to give FHSU a seven-point advantage on its following possession.

The Mustangs pulled back to 79-76 on a Loyd 3-ball and a Charlie Logan put back with 13 seconds to play but could get no closer.

Hagan finished with a team-high 25 points, while Loyd added 19 points and seven rebounds.

MSU closes the South Central Region Shootout in Bartlesville with a showdown Saturday night  against another MIAA foe - Emporia State. Tipoff from Bruin Fieldhouse is set for 6 p.m.