FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Women’s Basketball turned in a dominating performance against Bethel (Kan.) College on Friday evening (Nov. 25) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers moved to 5-0 overall on the season with a 125-31 blowout win. The 94-point win margin was a new school record, along with the 125 points scored in a game eclipsing the old mark of 120 set by the 2014-15 team. FHSU also tied the school record for 3-point field goals made in a game with 16.
The rout was on in the first quarter as FHSU jumped out to a 29-3 lead through the first 10 minutes. By halftime, the lead swelled to 43 at 61-18. The lead reached 70 by the end of the third quarter after FHSU outscored Bethel 29-2 in the frame. The Tigers tacked on their most points in a quarter in the final frame with 35 compared to 11 for Bethel, leaving the final spread at 94. The 125 points broke the school record of 120 set against McPherson College on November 17, 2014. The 94-point margin is a new record, topping the 88-point margin set by the 2006-07 team against Stephens College (Mo.) in an 116-28 victory. Fort Hays State tied its single-game 3-point field goal record with 16, matching the mark of the 2009-10 team against Northwestern Oklahoma State on November 18, 2009.
The Tigers were very efficient shooting the basketball at 66.2 percent for the game (49-of-74). They shot 51.6 percent beyond the 3-point line (16-of-31). All of it was set up by great passing, as the team dished out 41 assists on the 49 field goals. The 49 field goals also ties a single-game school record, matching the long-standing record of 49 made against Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo) on December 11, 1981.
Fort Hays State had eight players set or tie career highs for points in the game, led by 18 from Carly Heim. Also scoring career highs were Madison Mittie (16), Kacey Kennett (13), Taylor Rolfs (13), Robin Ritsema (9), Belle Barbieri (6, ties), Rachel Doll (5), and Lindsay Shupe (3). Taylor Chandler’s 11 points gave the Tigers five players in double figures. Emma Stroyan pulled down a season-high eight rebounds to lead the Tigers, while Nikola Kacperska and Rolfs tied with a team-high seven assists each. All 14 Tigers that played scored, 12 of the 14 recorded at least one rebound, and 13 of the 14 recorded at least one assist.
Stroyan, unfortunately, had her string of consecutive made field goals come to an end. On a rebound in the third quarter, her stick-back attempt was too strong off the glass, ending her consecutive streak of field goals made at 22. It was just three shy of the NCAA Division II record of 25. Stroyan had not missed a field goal since the first game of the season and now sits at 24-of-27 for the season (88.9 percent), which leads NCAA Division II for the young season.
Fort Hays State held Bethel to just 17.5 percent shooting from the field in the game (11-of-63). Kylee Schunn led the Threshers with nine points.
The Tigers return to action tonight (Sat. Nov. 26) against Sterling College. Game time is set for 5 pm at Gross Memorial Coliseum.