FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – After facing yet another early deficit, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team turned things around in a hurry to earn a 25-point victory over Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon (Jan. 7), 88-63. It was the seventh-straight win for the Tigers, who move to 13-2 overall and 4-2 in league play. The Bearcats fall to 10-4 on the year and 2-3 in the MIAA. It was the ninth straight home win over SBU for the Tigers.
The Bearcats started the game red hot, hitting seven of their first eight shots from the field. They led by five on multiple occasions during the early going, including after Caylee Richardson hit a three to make it 7-2, with Richardson scoring all seven points for the visitors. Both sides shot effectively in the opening quarter, combining to hit 54.5 percent from the field. The Tigers tied the score on a Madison Mittie triple before taking the lead for good with a layup from Jill Faxon with two minutes left in the first quarter. Tatyana Legette dropped in a layup and was fouled with less than one second to go in the period, making the free throw to give the Tigers a 24-20 advantage after 10 minutes.
After SBU cut it to one with a quick three, Fort Hays State built an 11-point lead over the first seven minutes of the second quarter with a 12-2 run. The Bearcats were held to just 1-of-7 shooting over that span. SBU stormed back with a 10-2 run of its own to end the half, trimming the lead to three at the break, 36-33.
The visitors closed within one on their first possession of the third quarter, but that was as close as they would get. SBU went ice cold in the frame, with the Tigers holding them to just one field goal. Fort Hays State went on a 24-4 run and were all of a sudden in front 62-41. The Tigers ultimately padded the lead as much as 27 after a pair of Legette free throws early in the final quarter, 77-50. Southwest Baptist bounced back to shoot nearly 43 percent (9-of-21) from the floor in the fourth, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Tigers held on for the 25-point win.
The Tigers shot well all afternoon, finishing 32-for-72 from the floor for 44.4 percent. Despite the hot start, FHSU held the Bearcats to just 39.7 percent (25-of-63) shooting, their second-worst outing of the year. The Tigers made 15 steals in the win, forcing SBU into 19 turnovers, while outrebounding the visitors 45-36.
Legette led all scorers with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting while adding seven rebounds. Carly Heim was all over the court in her 18 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points while fighting for seven rebounds and swiping three steals, all while leading the team with three assists. Kacey Kennett dropped in a pair of long range attempts en route to 14 points, with Faxon (14 points) and Madison Mittie (10 points) also reaching double figures.
The Bearcats were led by Aliyah Isaac’s 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half. Richardson finished with 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
The Tigers will hit the road for the first time in over a month next week when they make the short drive to play at Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday, January 12. First tip with the Lopers is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.