By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team returns home for its final homestand of the season Thursday (Feb. 20) when the Tigers host Rogers State. First tip in the MIAA clash is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Promotions
Game Sponsor: High Plains Farm Credit
National Anthem: O’Loughlin Elementary (women) / Tiger Tots (men)
Student Section Theme: Throwback Thursday
Halftime Performances: FHSU Cheer/Tiger Debs, Storm Cheer
FHSU Faculty/Staff Appreciation: All Fort Hays State University faculty and staff receive one (1) FREE general admission ticket
FHSU Student Night: Prizes given to FHSU students throughout the evening
The Tigers defeated the Hillcats earlier this season (1/11/20) in Claremore, Okla. in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Belle Barbieri led the team with a season-high 20 points alongside 10 rebounds in the victory.
Fort Hays State is looking to keep pace in the race for a spot in the NCAA Division II Central Regional. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers were ranked eighth in the initial set of regional rankings released Wednesday. Eight teams, three automatic bids and five at-large selections, will earn the right to play for a national title in the 2020 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship.
After dishing out nine assists in a game for the third time this season in Saturday’s win at Lincoln, Jaden Hobbs lifted her season average to 4.9 assists per game, third-highest in program history. The junior leads the league and ranks 14th in the country with an assist/turnover ratio of 2.49.
Fort Hays State is 10-2 at home this season, reaching double figures in wins inside Gross Memorial Coliseum for the 10th season in a row. The Tigers have not lost more than two games at home since the 2011-12 season (12-3).
Rogers State heads to Hays in search of its first road win of the season. The Hillcats are 0-12 away from the Claremore Expo Center this season. RSU ranks 11th in the league in points scored, averaging 62.2 points per contest, while allowing an MIAA-high 78.1 points each game. Alicia Brown is one of five Hillcats averaging at least eight points per game, leading the team with 8.9 points each night. Darian Jackson grabs a team-high 6.0 rebounds per contest while Vanessa Gajdosova dishes out 2.4 assists each game.