By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 8 Fort Hays State women’s basketball team took over sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings after fending off No. 16 Central Missouri Saturday afternoon (Feb. 20), 72-63. The Tigers (18-2, 18-2 MIAA) are now one game clear of UCM and No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney in the standings with two games remaining in the regular season.
Fort Hays State bounced back from a slow start, hitting nearly 50 percent from the floor over the final three periods (21-of-43) after shooting just 20 percent from the floor over the first 10 minutes (3-of-15).
While the offense got off to a slow start, the Tigers played solid defense to keep the game within reach early on. Fort Hays State forced six UCM turnovers in the opening quarter thanks to four steals, including three from Whitney Randall. When they maintained possession the Jennies were effective, hitting 6-of-12 from the floor to lead 17-10 at the end of the first period.
Central Missouri stretched its lead to 10 early on before the Tigers came roaring back. Fort Hays State went on a 19-5 run over the heart of the quarter, including 13 consecutive points that turned a nine-point deficit into a four-point lead in less than three minutes.
Trailing 27-18 at the 4:43 mark of the second quarter, Jessie Sallach hit a jumper to close within seven. Randall and Jaden Hobbs buried back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to one before Randall knocked down a pair of free throws to give FHSU its first lead of the day. Katie Wagner capped off the run with a traditional 3-point play with 2:05 to go, giving the Tigers a 31-27 advantage.
Fort Hays State led 33-29 at the break before UCM outscored the Tigers by four in the third quarter, knotting things up at 49 with 10 minutes to play. Randall scored seven of FHSU’s 16 third-quarter points while Madison Mittie knocked down a big 3-pointer to break up a Jennie run.
The Tigers never relinquished the lead, however, scoring the first eight points of the fourth quarter to go back in front for good. Olivia Hollenbeck opened the quarter with a pair of free throws after a UCM turnover. Sallach added a layup through contact on the next possession, adding the free throw to push the lead to five. Hobbs then blocked a shot on the defensive end before Sydney Golladay buried a three from right in front of the Tiger bench, giving the Tigers an eight-point lead less than two minutes into the final frame.
Central Missouri got back on track after a timeout, closing within five on an Olivia Nelson 3-point play before Hobbs buried another huge triple. Emma Ruddle dropped in a driving layup off a pass from Hobbs on the next possession, giving the Tigers a 10-point lead with six minutes to play.
Fort Hays State maintained at least a six-point lead for the rest of the afternoon, with the Tigers hitting 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Hobbs led the way with 16 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, tallying her third double-double of the season. Randall added 15 points alongside three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Wagner contributed 12 points, four rebounds and one assists, while Sallach added 10 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
Fort Hays State turned the ball over a season-low five times while forcing 13 Jennie miscues. The Tigers finished the game shooting 41.4 percent from the floor (24-of-58) while holding the Jennies to a 34.4 percent effort from the floor (22-of-64).
The Tigers are now 10-1 at home this season, reaching double figures in wins for the 11th-straight season. The 10-point comeback is tied for the largest deficit overcome by the Tigers this season.
Fort Hays State wraps up the regular season next week at Missouri Western on Thursday (Feb. 25) beginning at 5:30 p.m. before facing off with Northwest Missouri State Saturday (Feb. 27) beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Tigers would secure at least a share of the regular season conference championship with one victory over the final two games.