FHSU (22-2, 14-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) lost its first conference game since Feb. 19, 2013 after shooting just 34.5 percent from the field and hitting only 3-of-14 three-point attempts. Both teams were even in the paint, scoring 24 apiece, though Pitt State’s 14-10 offensive rebound advantage hurt the Tigers late in the game, as the Gorillas had eight offensive rebounds in the second half.
FHSU started hot, jumping out to a 12-2 lead in the game’s first 4:09 before allowing the Gorillas back into contention, tying it at 25 with 7:14 on the clock. From 15:10 to 5:12 (when PSU led 28-25), the Gorillas outscored FHSU, 26-13, thanks mainly to 12 points from Lizzy Jeronimus and 10 from Cathy Brugman in that span. At that point, Chelsea Mason‘s first three-pointer of the day sparked FHSU on an 8-0 run to take back the lead. At the half, the Tigers held a 36-31 advantage over Pitt State.
Out of the break, FHSU pushed its lead to 10 (45-35) near the 14-minute mark, but again saw PSU climb back to tie it (52-52) before taking a 54-52 lead with 6:10 on the clock. FHSU never recovered, however, after being held without a field goal for over six minutes as Pitt State pulled away as the game moved inside a minute
After PSU hit 1-of-2 free throws with 25 seconds to go, Jill Faxon raced down the court and hit a three-pointer to cut it to three, 62-59, with 18.4 seconds on the clock, but Pitt State’s Mikaela Burgress hit two free throws on the opposite end after a foul to seal the win.
FHSU remains in first place of the conference standings, holding a two-game lead over the Gorillas and a three-game lead on Emporia State with four games to go.
21 straight wins is the second longest win streak in program history, just two games short of tying the longest mark in school history (set between the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons). The Tigers hadn’t lost since Nov. 15, falling to then-No. 10 Concordia-St. Paul, 70-68, in the second game of the season.
Kate Lehman finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds, limited to just block on 7-of-14 shooting on field goals. Lehman has now reached double-digit scoring numbers in 22 straight games.
Beth Bohuslavsky grabbed eight rebounds, finishing second on the team with 11 points while dishing out a team-high five assists. Joining Bohuslavsky and Lehman in double-digits was Faxon, who finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Keriann Shaw fouled out late in the game, but found her way to eight points and seven rebounds in a strong performance.
FHSU returns to Gross Memorial Coliseum for Senior Night this Wednesday. The Tigers host Washburn in a 5:30 p.m. contest at home.