FHSU (22-1, 14-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) has now won 21 straight, setting a new school record for consecutive wins in a single-season. The longest ever win streak at FHSU is 23, set between the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.
Saturday’s game had an eerily similar feeling to the previous matchup between the teams (a 65-55 FHSU win), as the Tigers took a large lead early before watching ESU climb back to within single-digits late in the game. Once again, however, the Fort Hays State hit shots down the stretch and buckled down with strong defense to hang on.
Jill Faxon and Nikola Kacperska each hit three-pointers early, helping the Tigers start hot from the field before a three-pointer from ESU’s Addie Lackey tied it at 17 near the 10-minute mark.
Soon after, a jumper from Chelsea Mason started an 18-0 run for the Tigers, propelling them towards a 35-17 lead with 4:01 to go in the half. Kate Lehman led the team with seven points during the run.
Though ESU stopped the run soon, the Tigers continued to roll and took a 44-26 lead into the break.
Even through the first six minutes of the second half, FHSU found its way to a 20-point lead for the third (and final) time of the night after a jumper from Mason at 14:43. From there, however, ESU charged hard over the next 11 minutes, cutting the lead to six (67-61) with 2:39 to play thanks in part to runs of 6-0 and 7-0. Over the final 2 minutes, however, FHSU outscored ESU 5-1 to complete the season sweep. It was the first time since 1995-96 that the Tigers swept a pair against ESU.
FHSU shot 46.2 percent on field goals in the game and 50 percent from long range, hitting 4-of-8 three-pointers. The Tigers started well from the line, making 16 of its first 21 (76.1 percent) attempts, but went cold late and finished just 20-of-32 (62.6 percent)
Lehman led the Tigers with 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, joining Mason (12 points), Beth Bohuslavsky (12 points) and Kacperska (11 points) in double-digits. Kacperska and Paige Lunsford led the team with four assists apiece, and Bohuslavsky added seven rebounds in the effort. Keriann Shaw was second on the team with eight rebounds (all defensive).
Fort Hays State has now locked up a first round bye of the MIAA Tournament and will automatically advance to the quarterfinals in Kansas City, Mo., in March. The Tigers hold a three-game lead over ESU and a two-game lead over Pittsburg State in the chase for the MIAA regular season championship.
With five games to go in the season, FHSU is one win away from tying its NCAA Division II wins record of 23, set in 1994-95. The Tigers have won at least 20 games in the last four seasons, and 22 wins is tied for the most wins under Tony Hobson. The Tigers also won 22 games in 2012-13.
The Tigers are now 3-1 against Top 10 teams this season and 5-1 in ranked contests.
FHSU and PSU will face off in another rivalry rematch next Saturday, Feb. 14 in Pittsburg, Kan. Fort Hays State took the first meeting, 62-43, in Hays earlier this season. Game time between the Tigers and Gorillas is 1:30 p.m.