HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State scored the opening basket and never trailed in a 91-63 win over Lincoln on Saturday (Feb. 20) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers moved to 23-3 overall and 17-3 in the MIAA with the win, while Lincoln dropped to 8-18 overall and 4-16 in the MIAA. FHSU remained in second place with the win, one game back of Missouri Western with two games to play in the regular season.
Fort Hays State built a lead of 11 points by the end of the first quarter, but struggled to put away Lincoln by halftime. FHSU led by nine, 43-34, at the break.
Lincoln cut the lead down to eight with 6:54 to go in the third quarter before Fort Hays State went on a 10-0 run to push its lead to 18. The lead grew to 20 with 2:44 to go in the third quarter. FHSU cruised through the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to 28 twice, which was the final margin.
Chelsea Mason led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points, while Beth Bohuslavsky and Jill Faxon each had 15. Nikola Kacperska had 14 points, while hitting three 3-point field goals. Tatyana Legette came off the bench to pull down a team-high eight rebounds and record four blocked shots.
Hunter Yoakum led Lincoln in scoring with 15 points, while Jasmine Guthrie and Dorian Briggs each had 11.
Fort Hays State forced Lincoln into 16 turnovers, while committing just five. FHSU also pulled down 23 offensive rebounds, more than half of its final total of 45. FHSU outscored Lincoln 22-8 on points off turnovers and 32-10 in second-chance points.
Seniors Beth Bohuslavsky, Paige Lunsford, Chelsea Mason, and Elle Stein were all recognized before the start of the game as they played in their final regular season home game at FHSU.
Fort Hays State completed an undefeated regular season at home for the second straight year, going 15-0 this year.