By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
After a 6-0 start in non-conference play, the 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team opens conference play Tuesday (Dec. 4) when Nebraska-Kearney travels to Hays. First tip is set for 5:30 inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers and Lopers split the regular season series last year, with both sides winning on the road. Tatyana Legette scored 11 fourth-quarter points to help the FHSU rally from a six-point deficit in the most recent meeting (69-67, 2/20/18).
Tuesday’s contest will be the 91st meeting between these two programs, making this the most frequent series in program history. The Tigers hold a 54-36 edge in the series, including a 15-2 mark under Tony Hobson. FHSU is 33-11 against the Lopers in Hays, including 7-2 under Hobson. The Tigers won 14 straight in the series dating back to 2009 before last year’s loss.
The Tigers are in the midst of a six-game December homestand, with five more games on the calendar before the new year. Fort Hays State is 33-2 at home in the month of December under Hobson, with the last loss coming back in 2011.
Fort Hays State ranks in the top 10 in the country in eight statistical categories, including turnovers per game (10.2, first), turnover margin (12.17, second), assist/turnover ratio (1.52, second), scoring margin (33.2, third), scoring defense (51.3, sixth), steals per game (13.7, sixth), fewest turnovers (61, eighth) and win percentage.
After dropping their first two games of the season, the Lopers bring a five-game winning streak with them to Hays. The UNK offense has scored 70 or more points four times, averaging 76.1 points per outing. The Lopers rank fifth in the MIAA with a shooting percentage of 45.1 percent while leading the league with 17.4 assists each night. Freshman Shiloh McCool leads the team with 9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest while Kelsey Sanger dishes out a team-best 2.9 assists every game. Both of UNK’s losses came away from the Health and Sports Center.
Legette averages 10.2 points in six career games against UNK, including more than 20 points in both contests last year. Carly Heim has scored 10 or more points three times against the Lopers. Kacey Kennett is coming off a career-high 24 points in Saturday’s 106-45 win over Missouri Valley, including 21 points in the opening half alone. Lanie Page is one of three Tigers scoring in double figures each night, leading the team with 13.3 points per contest.