Big Runs Lead Women’s Basketball to Victory

FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – After a slow start, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team found its rhythm in an 88-73 victory over St. Cloud State Friday evening (Nov. 18) inside Halenbeck Hall. The Tigers improved to 3-0 for the second-straight year and the seventh time under Tony Hobson, while the Huskies dip to 1-2 this season.

The Huskies looked to be in control early, leading by as many as nine, FHSU’s largest deficit so far this season, while holding the Tigers to just four points at the opening media timeout. After an SCSU basket again stretched the lead to nine, the Tigers went on a 10-0 run late in the quarter to regain the lead after 10 minutes of play, 18-17.

The lead changed hands several times in the second quarter, but a 12-0 run capped off by a Jill Faxon three-pointer put the Tigers in front by 12 with just 20 seconds to go before halftime. The Huskies answered with a three of their own to narrow the deficit to nine at the break, 42-33.

With the snow falling outside, the Tigers seemed to put the game on ice in the third quarter. A 15-0 run for the Tigers, aided by seven Husky turnovers, helped the visitors extend the lead to 24 at the 1:44 mark in the third quarter. Two free throws from Carly Heim gave the Tigers a 26-point lead with 10 minutes to play, their largest lead of the game.

The home team wouldn’t go away without giving its fans something to cheer for, however. The Huskies soon made it a two possession game behind a 23-4 run, closing the gap to six with two minutes, 36 seconds to play (76-70). SCSU was a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the arc during that stretch while forcing five Tiger turnovers. After Nikola Kacperska poured in a three to stop the bleeding, Hobson called a timeout to regroup. The Tigers closed the game by scoring 12 of the final 15 points, extending the final margin to 15.

The Tigers were highly efficient from the field, dropping in 55.2 percent of their shots (32-of-58) and an impressive 45 percent from downtown (9-of-20). FHSU grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Huskies in the game, their first true road game of the season (41-30). The Tigers were credited with assists on 25 of their 32 buckets.

Emma Stroyan led the team with 20 points and three blocks, adding five rebounds in 25 minutes of action. The junior was a perfect 9-for-9 from the field and has now made 18-straight baskets, dating back to the fourth quarter of the season opener.

Faxon continued her dominance against Minnesota schools, recording 18 points and eight rebounds in the win. The senior now averages 14.6 points in eight career games against schools from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Taylor Chandler and Kacperska each distributed seven assists in the match, a new career-high for Chandler. Six different Tigers made at least one basket from behind the arc.

The Tigers will return to the floor in St. Cloud Saturday afternoon to face off with Bemidji State. First tip with the Beavers is set for 2 p.m.

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