By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start Saturday (Feb. 17) at Central Missouri, losing 79-64. The Tigers are now 19-6 overall and 13-6 in conference play, while the Jennies improve to 18-6 on the year and 12-6 in league action.
Olivia Hollenbeck won the opening tip and promptly scored to put the Tigers up 2-0 before things went south for FHSU. The Tigers didn’t score again for nearly five minutes, missing five-straight shots and turning the ball over four times. Central Missouri went on a 10-0 run during that span, taking the lead for the rest of the game.
Katie Wagner got the Tigers back on the board by hitting back-to-back buckets while the teams traded baskets over the final five minutes of the frame, with UCM leading 19-11 after 10 minutes of play.
Wagner then scored the first six points of the second quarter for FHSU before Sydney Golladay dropped in a layup, helping FHSU close within four midway through the frame, 23-19. Central Missouri bounced back, scoring 10 of the next 12 points to go back up by double figures. Both sides continued to light up the scoreboard in the second quarter, combining to shoot 51.4 percent from the floor in the frame.
Despite trailing by 10 at the break, 41-31, Fort Hays State outscored the Jennies 12-4 to start the third quarter to close within two. Central Missouri bounced back after that point, scoring the next seven points to push the lead to nine. UCM led by eight entering the final frame, 57-49, before pushing the lead to double figures for the remainder of the contest early in the fourth quarter.
Wagner led all scorers with 22 points while adding a team-high six rebounds. Hollenbeck added 12 points, while Golladay chipped in 10 points and distributed three assists.
The Tigers hit 42.6 percent from the floor (26-of-61), but managed just two 3-pointers (2-of-16, 12.5 percent). Fort Hays State turned the ball over 13 time on the day, compared to eight turnovers from the Jennies.
Fort Hays State will return home for its final three games of the regular season starting Thursday (Feb. 22) when FHSU hosts Pittsburg State beginning at 5:30 p.m.