FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
OMAHA, Neb. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team wrapped up its preseason schedule Thursday evening (Nov. 3) against Creighton, falling to the BIG EAST preseason favorite Bluejays 90-56. The hosts dropped in 11-of-27 three-pointers in the contest, including a 7-of-8 effort in the third quarter.
Fort Hays State connected on 21-of-67 shots from the field, good for 31 percent. The Bluejays dropped in nearly 57 percent on the day (37-for-65). The Tigers forced 14 Creighton turnovers, making just 10 miscues of their own. FHSU also held a 10-8 edge in offensive rebounds.
The Bluejays opened the contest by scoring 15 of the first 17 points, taking a 13-point lead at the first media timeout. After scoring the first Tiger basket on a driving left-handed layup early in the contest, Nikola Kacperska dropped in two more buckets to end the Creighton run and spark a 9-2 run for the Tigers, cutting the lead to 17-11. The Bluejays recorded nine of the final 11 points in the quarter to once again lead by 13 after 10 minutes, 26-13.
The Tigers used a 10-3 run early in the second quarter to cut the lead to single digits, 34-25. Taylor Rolfs poured in a three-pointer from the left corner on her first touch of the game before Jill Faxon rattled home a triple from the top of the key two possessions later. Another corner trey from Rolfs ended the Tiger rally. The Bluejays scored six-straight before FHSU posted the final three points of the half to trail by 12 at halftime, 40-28. Emma Stroyan recorded the final basket of the half on an 18-foot jumper from the top of the key.
Creighton put on a shooting clinic in the third quarter, knocking down its first nine shots and connecting on 11-of-13 from the field to win the quarter 29-14. Stroyan hit back-to-back jumpers in the midst of a 22-4 Bluejay run over the first five minutes of the period. Belle Barbieri dropped in a layup on a strong drive and was fouled, adding the free throw to close the gap to 25 late in the period, 67-42.
The Bluejays outscored the Tigers by seven in the final period, leading by as many as 38. Madison Mittie scored three quick points for the Tigers before Stroyan added a bucket on a strong drive to the basket. Kacey Kennett poured in all five of her points down the stretch, including a three-pointer from the right wing with 2:45 to play. Carly Heim dropped in the final bucket of the contest, driving through the lane for the layup.
Faxon led the Tigers with 10 points, all of which came in the first half. Kacperska added nine points and three assists, while Stroyan and Rolfs had eight points apiece. Rolfs led the team with six assists and two steals with Stroyan and Legette each posting a team-high five rebounds.
The Tigers will open the regular season next weekend when they travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for a pair of non-conference matchups. First up for FHSU is a date with Upper Iowa on Friday, November 11 with first tip slated for 1 p.m.