BY TRISTAN SASSE
PHOTOS BY MARISSA CASTANOS
Women’s Game Recap
To begin conference play, the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team hosted the Missouri Southern Lions. In a game the Tigers would lead from start to finish, FHSU went on to win 76-60. With the victory, Fort Hays improves to 6-0 on the season.
FHSU has been able to start games strong all season, the first quarter was no different on Thursday. The Tigers began the game on a 7-2 run. With under three minutes remaining in the first quarter, FHSU extended their lead to eight. Fort Hays ended the opening quarter ahead 19-13.
The Tigers began the second quarter on a 13-3 run and extended the lead to 32-16. Missouri Southern connected on six three-pointers in the first half but trailed by as many as 17. FHSU went into halftime with a 42-27 advantage.
Three Tigers were in double figures in the opening half. Carly Heim and Kacey Kennett led the charge with 13 points each. Tatyana Legette added 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists. FHSU shot 50% in the first half and held the Lions to 8-of-26 from the field (30.8%). The Tigers also forced 13 turnovers in the opening half.
FHSU maintained a steady double-digit advantage in the second half. Midway through the third quarter, the Tigers led 50-35. Going into the final quarter, Fort Hays was ahead 57-42.
The Lions began the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run to trim the lead to 10. With four minutes left, the Tigers held a 65-51 advantage.
By the Numbers
For the Tigers, Heim scored 19, while Kennett finished with 18 points. Legette had an all-around game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and six steals. Taylor Rolfs also had a double-double for FHSU with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Fort Hays shot 40.9% on the night and held the Lions to 29.8% from the field. The Tigers also forced 21 turnovers and led by as many as 20 points. FHSU finished with 34 points in the paint and 17 from the free throw line.
For Missouri Southern, Desirea Buerge was the lone Lion in double-digit scoring with 21 points and seven rebounds. Nine of the Lions’ 17 made field goals were from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
FHSU (6-0) will host the #19 Pittsburg State Gorillas (6-1) on Saturday afternoon. Also on Saturday, Missouri Southern (1-6) will travel to Kearney, Nebraska to take on the UNK Lopers (7-0).
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Men’s Game Recap
After averaging over 92 points per game through the first six contests, the Fort Hays State University Tiger men’s basketball team struggled offensively on Thursday, November 30. In a wild game from the beginning, FHSU ended victorious, 76-69.
Missouri Southern scored the first basket of the game, but the Tigers followed with a 15-0 run. With 12:13 remaining in the first half, FHSU led 17-5. Fort Hays forced six turnovers during the run while holding the Lions to 2-for-8 from the field. MSSU cut the lead to single digits at just under 11 minutes in the opening half, at 19-11.
The Lions then responded with an 8-2 run to bring the deficit to down to two. MSSU claimed the lead at 24-23. In the ensuing minutes, both teams traded baskets and Missouri Southern led 30-28 with under four minutes left in the half. MSSU led at half 37-31. The Lions ended the half on a 35-16 run.
FHSU shot 10-for-26 (38.5%) in the first half, while MSSU was 10-for-22 (45.5%). The Tigers forced eight first-half turnovers, but only had three assists.
In the half, Hadley Gillum led the Tigers with 10 points. For the Lions, Braelon Walker had 10 points in 10 minutes off the bench.
The Missouri Southern lead was cut to one, at 45-44, with 14:28 remaining. Gillum scored 10 of FHSU’s first 13 second-half points. FHSU tied the game moments later. At under 10 minutes, the Lions held a 53-49 advantage. MSSU’s lead climbed to seven with 6:30 left.
The Tigers cut the deficit to 61-59 shortly after. FHSU still trailed by one with three minutes remaining. Two free throws by Gillum gave Fort Hays the lead with 2:16 left. Grant Holmes buried a three and gave the Tigers a four-point lead second later. Strong free throw shooting down the stretch sealed a 76-69 win for Fort Hays. FHSU ended the game on a 12-4 run.
By the Numbers
On the night, FHSU shot 45.8% from the field. MSSU finished at 41.2%. The Tigers also forced 17 turnovers while having nine of their own.
For the Tigers, Gillum led all scorers with 30 points (20 in the second half). Payton Stephens finished with 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
For MSSU, CJ Carr had 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists. LJ Ross contributed with 12 points, while Braelon Walker and Ralph Bellamy had 10 each.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers (5-2) will host Pittsburg State (5-3) on Saturday after the women’s game. The Lions (2-4) will face UNK (4-5) on December 2.
