By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 3/5 Fort Hays State women’s basketball team opens conference play against the only other undefeated team in the league Tuesday (Dec. 3) when the Tigers head north to battle Nebraska-Kearney. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m. from the Health and Sports Center.
The Tigers will be renewing their longest rivalry on Tuesday, having played the Lopers 92 times since 1972. Fort Hays State has defeated Nebraska-Kearney more than any other school in program history, holding a 56-36 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers are 17-2 against the Lopers under head coach Tony Hobson.
Fort Hays State’s last trip to Kearney was one for the ages. Trailing by 20 points midway through the third quarter, the Tigers stormed back to force overtime before defeating the Lopers by double digits, 74-64 (2/2/19). It stands as the largest comeback for the Tigers since at least 2001.
The Lopers hold a 23-22 edge in games played in Kearney. However, Fort Hays State has won the last nine games in Kearney. The Tigers have never lost to the Lopers in Kearney under Hobson (9-0). Overall the Tigers are 17-2 against the Lopers under Hobson.
The Tigers have been nothing less than dominant in its first six non-conference tune-ups. They lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 41.5 points per night, while outscoring their opponents by an NCAA DII-leading 38.9 points per game. FHSU turns the ball over just 9.7 times per contest, ranking second in the country. Their assist/turnover ratio of 1.95 is the best mark in the nation.
The Tigers rank in the top 10 in the country in 10 statistical categories, including assist/turnover ratio (first, 1.95), assists per game (ninth, 18.8), fewest turnovers (eighth, 58), field goal percentage defense (ninth, 31.9 percent), personal fouls per game (second, 11.8), scoring defense (first, 41.5), scoring margin (first, 39.8), turnover margin (second, 13.3), turnovers per game (second, 9.7), and win/loss percentage (first, 100.0 percent).
Nine different Tigers are averaging at least five points on the year, led by Belle Barbieri’s 11.7 points per night. The senior also leads the team with 10.8 rebounds per contest and is one of three players in the MIAA averaging a double-double. Madison Mittie led the team in scoring last week, averaging 11.5 points through the two Tiger victories.
Tuesday’s contest will be the first true road game for the Tigers this season. It is the first time FHSU has not played a true road game until December since the 2012-13 season (12/8/12 at Missouri Western).
Nebraska-Kearney has won its first six games for the fifth time in team history. The Lopers are averaging 83.8 points per night, ranking 15th in the country. Their 27.0 point differential ranks fifth nationally, behind only FHSU in the conference. The Lopers rank third in the country with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.67.
Three Lopers average double figures in scoring, led by sophomores Maegan Holt and Brooke Carlson at 13.0 points per contest. Carlson grabs a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game while Haley Simental dishes out 3.8 assists each night, third-most in the MIAA.