By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State never trailed for nearly 37 minutes before Missouri Western rallied past late for a slim 68-66 win on its home floor on Thursday night (Feb. 1). The Griffons slipped past the Tigers late for a second time this season, improving to 16-4 overall and 11-3 in the MIAA. No. 15 ranked FHSU moved to 16-4 overall as well and now 10-4 in the MIAA.
The Tigers had strong control of the game for a long time, but could not put the Griffons away in the fourth quarter. Missouri Western turned blazing hot in the fourth quarter, hitting 11-of-15 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws for 31 points in the final frame. FHSU held an 11-point lead going into the quarter. The Griffons, however, nearly squandered an eight-point lead in the final minute as the Tigers rallied back within one point. FHSU unfortunately missed a potential game-tying free throw and then a good look at the basket just before the buzzer to potentially tie as well.
The Tigers built a 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter, capped on a 3-pointer by Kate Dilsaver just before the buzzer. They saw their lead grow to 15 in the second quarter at 30-15 and would eventually lead by 13 at halftime by a score of 34-21. The Tigers limited the Griffons to 32 percent shooting overall in the first half and forced 10 turnovers. Katie Wagner had 14 points for the Tigers at halftime, scoring nine of the FHSU’s 13 in the second quarter.
The Tigers scored the first basket of the second half to get their lead back to 15, but the Griffons made their first spurt at the Tigers with an 8-0 run to cut the lead to just seven about midway through the third quarter. Wagner continued to carry the Tiger offense, scoring eight points in the quarter. The Tiger defense continued to create problems, forcing five more turnovers to get MWSU’s count up to 15 for the game and eventually led 48-37 going into the final frame.
A 5-0 burst by Missouri Western coupled with a pair of Tiger turnovers to start the fourth quarter brought the Griffons within six with about 8:30 to play. Wagner snapped the run with a bucket, but the Griffons kept chipping away. The Tigers were back up nine on a 3-point play by Olivia Hollenbeck with six minutes to go, but MWSU used another 5-0 burst to get within four. The Tigers scored and then saw the Griffons have another 5-0 burst to get the lead to just one with 4:15 to play. Another Wagner bucket snapped the third burst, but Makenzie Hart would hit two critical shots in a row to give the Griffons the lead for the first time with about three minutes to play. Hart’s buckets started a 13-2 run for the Griffons as they eventually led by eight with just under a minute to play.
The Tigers did not go away without a fight as Dilsaver hit a huge transition three to cut the margin back to five. Katie Wagner instantly stole a bad pass and was able to lay it in to cut the margin to just three. The Tigers were nearly able to complete their frantic comeback effort when Sydney Golladay created another steal and Kate Dilsaver was fouled while hitting a bucket. Unfortunately, Dilsaver’s potential tying free throw rattled in and out, forcing the Tigers to have to foul. The aforementioned Hart hit just one of two free throws, leaving the door open for the Tigers to potentially tie or win, but a good look at the bucket in low fell off the mark as the Griffons found a way to hang on to their comeback win late.
Wagner finished with 30 points, just two shy of her season high, and recorded yet another double double, adding 10 rebounds. She was 10-of-21 from the field and 8-of-9 at the free-throw line. Dilsaver was the only other Tiger to notch double figures in points with 12, just one shy of her season high. Golladay dished out a game-high seven assists.
The Griffons were led by Connie Clarke with 20 points, while Johnni Gonzalez scored all 12 of her points on a perfect 4-of-4 effort from 3-point range. Tianni Ellison provided 10 points off the bench.
Fort Hays State looks to get back on track Saturday (Feb. 3) against a solid Northwest Missouri State squad, which enters at 15-5 overall and 9-5 in the MIAA. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in Maryville, Mo.