FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – It was a close game for the first 30 minutes, but a 14-0 run by Lindenwood to start the fourth quarter proved insurmountable for the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28), losing 76-70. It was the first home loss for the Tigers since the NCAA regional final in 2015, ending a 25-game home winning streak. FHSU dips to 15-5 on the year and 6-5 in the MIAA, while Lindenwood moves to 8-11 and 4-8 in conference action.
It was the Lady Lions’ first win over FHSU all-time, with the Tigers winning the first five matchups in the series. The 14-point run over the first three-plus minutes of the fourth quarter was the longest run by an opponent this season.
Fort Hays State led for the majority of the first quarter, with the lead changing hands three times in the frame. The Lady Lions kept things close by hitting 62.5 percent from the floor (10-of-16). A three-pointer from Madison Mittie put the Tigers in front by five, 18-13, with just under three minutes to play in the period, their largest lead of the game. Lindenwood scored eight of the final nine points in the quarter, taking a 21-19 lead with a jump shot from Alex Haley at the buzzer.
The teams traded punches again in the second quarter, with neither team leading by more than four points. Fort Hays State tied things up three minutes into the frame when Sarah Pimentel grabbed a rebound and hurled a pass to Jill Faxon in the front court. Faxon pulled up from the left wing and nailed a three-pointer, leveling the score at 25. The Tigers would tie things up twice more in the half before finally retaking the lead with 1:39 left on a layup from Faxon. Nikola Kacperska set up her fellow senior by making a steal and finding Faxon cutting towards the basket. The Lady Lions tied things up two possessions later and took a 36-34 lead into the locker room after dropping in a layup on the final shot of the half.
The Tigers led in the third quarter but kept the deficit within two possessions for the full 10 minutes. Neither side could pull away, scoring no more than four consecutive points in the frame. Fort Hays State couldn’t take advantage of four Lady Lion turnovers in the quarter, hitting just 7-of-20 shots (35 percent). Kacperska dropped in a pair of free throws with two minutes to play in the frame before she and Pimentel made steals on the next two Lindenwood possessions. Pimentel followed up her steal with a fast-break layup to cut the LU lead to one, 53-52. The Lady Lions scored the next three points, but a layup from Emma Stroyan made the score 56-54 with one-quarter to go.
Lindenwood exploded for 14-straight points over the first three minutes, 21 seconds of the fourth quarter, hitting 6-of-8 from the floor including the first two three-pointers of the day. FHSU went nearly five minutes without a field goal in the quarter, missing its first six shots from the floor. Tatyana Legette made a pair of free throws with 6:14 on the clock to stop the bleeding, moving the Tigers within 70-56. The Tigers closed the game on a 16-6 run and held Lindenwood without a basket for the rest of the game, but the Lady Lion lead proved to be just enough. The visitors hit just 6-of-12 free throws down the stretch, but a heroic comeback came up short for the Tigers.
For the day, Lindenwood hit 47.5 percent (28-of-59) from the floor while holding the Tigers to 33.3 percent (23-of-69) from the field. The Lady Lions overcame 16 turnovers in the game.
Stroyan recorded her first double-double as a Tiger, dropping in 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Faxon led the Tigers with 13 points, with Carly Heim (11 points) reaching double figures for the second-straight game. Pimentel made a team-high three steals in her first career start.
Four Lady Lions scored in double figures, with Haley and Lindsay Medlen leading with 16 points each. Gabby Walker posted a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double.
The Tigers will head back out on the road next week, traveling to Emporia, Kan. to face off with Emporia State Wednesday evening (Feb. 1). First tip against the Lady Hornets is set for 5:30 p.m. at White Auditorium.