By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
After a 10 day break since its last contest, the 12th-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball returns to the hard court Tuesday (Nov. 20) when the Tigers take on Newman in Wichita. Opening tip from Fugate Gymnasium is set for 5:30 p.m.
The Tigers opened the year with a pair of comfortable victories last weekend in Hays, winning by an average of 34 points per game. Tatyana Legette is the lone individual in the MIAA to carry a double-double average this season, totaling 13 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest so far this year. She is one of four Tigers to average in double figures in scoring.
After the trip to Wichita, the Tigers will take on a pair of former RMAC opponents in Kearney, Neb. over the weekend before heading back to Hays for seven home games in the month of December.
Hello, Newman
The Newman Jets are off to a 3-1 start to the season after dropping their first game of the season. They were picked to finish fourth in the Heartland Conference after turning in a 17-12 record last season. Bria DeGrate paces the squad with 15.3 points per game with three other players scoring more than eight points per night. Haley Albers grabs six rebounds each outing while DeGrate leads the team with 4.3 assists every contest. The Jets are averaging 71.5 points per contest while holding their opponents to just 57.5 points each night.
Last Meeting with the Jets
An all-around effort from Tatyana Legette helped the Tigers pull away from Newman in the second half last season, winning 76-63 in the fourth game of the season (11/18/17). Legette tallied 17 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, posting the first 15-15 game for a Tiger since Kate Lehman and finishing three assists shy of a triple-double. Three other Tigers scored in double figures, including 13 from Taylor Rolfs, 12 for Kacey Kennett and 10 points from Whitney Clampitt. FHSU made just five turnovers while forcing 17 Newman miscues.
All-Time vs Newman
Fort Hays State has controlled the all-time series against Newman, winning 15 of the 16 contests since the series began in 1983. The Tigers are on a five-game winning streak, with the lone loss coming back in 2010 in Wichita. FHSU is 4-1 all-time against the Jets in Wichita and is 6-1 against the Jets under Tony Hobson.
Career vs the J-E-T-S
Tatyana Legette averages 9.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per night in two career games against Newman.
Opening the Year Right
FHSU is now 33-17 in season openers in program history after knocking off SMSU last week. Fort Hays State has won 15 straight home openers, with the last loss coming at the start of the 2003-04 season. The Tigers are 23-4 in home openers since joining the NCAA Division II in 1992-93.
Up to Second in the Region
The Tigers are ranked second in the latest release of the D2SIDA Central Region Poll, sitting behind Central Missouri. FHSU is up one spot from the preseason rankings after a loss by Southwest Oklahoma State.
Turnovers Galore
The Tigers hold a turnover margin of +12 through two games, third-best in Division II.
Give Me a Second Chance
Fort Hays State ranks second in the country with an average of 25 offensive rebounds per game, leading to an average of 26 second chance points per outing