FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State pushed its win streak to five games by methodically pulling away from Northeastern State for a 68-47 win on Thursday night (Jan. 14) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers moved to 15-1 overall and 9-1 in the MIAA with the win, while Northeastern State moved to 5-11 overall and 2-8 in the MIAA.
Northeastern State took a three-point lead twice early in the game, but FHSU ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run to build a nine-point lead at 22-13. The Tiger lead was cut to four with 6:52 to play in the second quarter, but another 8-0 run pushed the lead to 12 with 3:22 to go until halftime. The lead remained in double figures the remainder of the game. FHSU eventually led by 14 at halftime, 22 by the end of the third quarter, and then the final margin settled at 21. The largest lead was 25 points at the 1:05 mark of the third quarter when Jill Faxon buried a 3-point field goal.
Paige Lunsford turned in a tremendous effort by recording her first career double-double. She finished with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, including a 2-of-2 effort beyond the 3-point line, and a pair of free-throws. She grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds with seven on the offensive end. It jumped her previous best of 11 rebounds, which she also recorded against Northeastern State last season. She also dished out a team-high four assists.
Faxon led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points, going 6-of-12 from the field overall and 3-of-6 beyond the 3-point line. Chelsea Mason was just one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Despite a tough night offensively, Taylor Chandler had a team-high four assists helping the Tigers to 12 overall.
FHSU forced NSU into 19 turnovers while committing just six. FHSU outrebounded NSU by eight, 43-35. With those margins, FHSU triggered 20 more shots than NSU in the game. That helped make up for just a 31.8 percent shooting effort from the field for the Tigers. However, a good chunk of the damage was beyond the 3-point line where FHSU sunk 11-of-31 attempts. FHSU held NSU to 39.1 percent shooting for the game.
Alexis Hill led Northeastern State in scoring with 12 points, the only RiverHawk in double figures. Kate Bellamy pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
The Tigers have a solid test on their hands Saturday (Jan. 16) when Central Oklahoma comes to Hays. The Bronchos enter the game at 12-4 overall and 6-4 in the MIAA. Game time is set for 2 pm.