FHSU Sports Information Department
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State ran into a 3-point shooting buzzsaw on Saturday (Mar. 5) in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals against Pittsburg State. The 16th-ranked Gorillas opened the game with a flurry of 3-point field goals on their way to a new MIAA Tournament Game Record of 16. Though the No. 12 Tigers fought back within striking distance several times, the Gorillas were too much as FHSU fell 90-74.
Pittsburg State hit eight 3-point field goals in the first quarter on its way to 35 points in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Gorillas led 35-20 going into the second quarter. The Tigers shook off the flurry of haymakers from the Gorillas to cut the lead inside 10 twice late in the first half, but the Gorillas hit a shot as time expired to push the lead out to 10 at 51-41. Pittsburg State had 11 3-point field goals in the first half, a new MIAA Tournament Game Record for 3-point field goals in a half.
Fort Hays State trimmed the lead to six twice in the third quarter, but could never get any closer. Up eight, Pittsburg State opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run to put the game out of reach, pushing its lead out to 19. FHSU continued to play hard and cut the lead back down to 11, but it was not enough to overcome the big margin.
The Gorillas shot 54.4 percent from the field and 51.6 percent from beyond the 3-point line (16-of-31). Fort Hays State shot very well in the first half at 50 percent, but cooled in the second half to finish at 41.5 percent. Pittsburg State also committed just 10 turnovers, a new season low for a Tiger opponent. FHSU was still solid with the ball, turning the ball over only seven times.
Nikola Kacperska led a balanced scoring effort for the Tigers with 14 points. Jill Faxon and Paige Lunsford each had 13, while Taylor Chandler, Beth Bohuslavsky, and Chelsea Mason all had 10. Lunsford led the Tigers in rebounds with seven. Kacperska dished out a team-high five assists.
Mikaela Burgess led the Gorillas in scoring with 21 points. She hit four 3-point field goals. Paige Lungwitz had 17 and put in three beyond the arc. Hadyn Herlocker had four 3-point field goals and produced 15 points. Kylie Gafford and Cathy Brugman each had 10 points and each buried one 3-pointer. Shelby Lopez came off the bench and scored all nine of her points on three 3-point field goals.
The Tigers will now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday looking for an at-large bid. The Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the latest NCAA Division II Region Rankings. The selection show will be at 9 pm CT and can be seen here.