FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team dropped its MIAA opener Thursday evening at Missouri Southern, losing 75-64. It was the first loss of the season for the 25th-ranked team in the country, with the Tigers dipping to 6-1 on the year. The Lions leveled their overall record at 4-4.
The Tigers are now 6-5 all-time in MIAA openers. The Lions broke up a 5-game winning streak for FHSU in the series, the longest streak by either team all-time.
Fort Hays State was doomed by its poor shooting, connecting on just 34.8 percent of its shots (23-of-66) after coming into the contest as the second-best shooting team in the country (52.8 percent). Missouri Southern countered with its best shooting game of the season, dropping in 52 percent from the field (26-of-50) and 50 percent from behind the arc (8-of-16).
The Lions won the opening tip and led the game wire-to-wire after scoring 19 seconds into the matchup. MSSU opened the game on an 8-2 run and built a 14-point lead after scoring 10-straight points late in the first quarter and early in the second period. The Lions led by nine after 10 minutes of play, 21-12, the first time FHSU trailed at the end of a quarter this season.
The Tigers scored just 12 points again in the second quarter, trailing 39-24 at the break. The Lions built their largest lead of the day in the third quarter, opening the second half on a 13-7 run to extend a 52-31 lead. 21 is also FHSU’s largest deficit so far this season. Fort Hays State chipped away at the lead in the final period, outscoring the home team 26-18, but it was too little, too late.
Madison Mittie dropped in 14 points to lead the Tigers, sinking two of the three FHSU three-pointers on the day (3-for-23). Tatyana Legette grabbed a team-high eight rebounds to go along with seven points, one block and one steal. Desirea Buerge led all scorers with 18 points for the Lions.
Fort Hays State will look to rebound on Saturday (Dec. 3) when they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for a date with fourth-ranked Pittsburg State. First tip is set for 1:30 p.m.