By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team cruised to another conference victory Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3), doubling up Rogers State at home, 84-42. The Tigers (6-3, 2-0 MIAA) never trailed in the contest thanks to an offense that knocked down 44.6 percent (29-of-65) from the floor and a defense that created 21 turnovers thanks to eight steals and four blocks.
Olivia Hollenbeck scored seven of her team-high 18 points in the first quarter, helping the Tigers to an 18-10 lead by the end of the frame. FHSU led by seven before the Hillcats (2-6, 0-2 MIAA) dropped in back-to-back baskets to close within three late in the quarter, but two buckets from Jessie Sallach down the stretch helped the Tigers push the lead to eight.
The Tiger defense turned things up in the second quarter, limiting the Hillcats to one made field goal over the first eight-plus minutes of the frame. FHSU outscored the visitors 22-4 over that span, pushing the lead to 40-16 late in the quarter on a 3-pointer from Clary Donica.
The Tigers were well-balanced on the offensive end, with nine different players recording at least two points in the quarter. Rogers State ultimately hit a pair of shots in the final 90 seconds of the half before Kate Dilsaver ended the frame with a layup, putting the Tigers in front 42-20 at the break. Fort Hays State pushed the lead to 30 four minutes into the third quarter on a jumper from Sydney Golladay.
After hitting just one 3-pointer over the first 27 minutes of the game, things finally opened up for the Tigers from behind the arc down the stretch. Emma Ruddle buried a triple late in the third quarter before Sallach knocked down her first-career triple midway through the fourth quarter.
That’s when Megan Earney took over, pouring in four in a row from behind the arc over a two-minute span to propel the lead to 40. Kia Wilson rounded out the scoring with a stick-back layup in the final minute.
Katie Wagner (17 points) and Earney (12 points) joined Hollenbeck in double figures, with Sallach just missing with nine points. Donica corralled a team-best eight rebounds in less than 15 minutes of play, while Ellie Stearns and Dilsaver dished out six assists each.
The Tigers dominated on the glass for a second-consecutive game, outrebounding the Hillcats by 19, 47-28. FHSU grabbed a season-high 19 offensive rebounds, its most in a conference contest in more than two years (21 vs RSU, 2/20/20). The Tigers scored a season-high 25 points off the 21 RSU turnovers.
Fort Hays State will hit the road next weekend for the first time in four weeks when the Tigers battle Missouri Western on Saturday (Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m.) in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Division II Central Region Championship game. The Tigers will then make the short drive up Highway 71 to Maryville, Mo. to take on Northwest Missouri State on Sunday (Dec. 11, 1:30 p.m.).