BY TRISTAN SASSE
After beginning MIAA conference play last week with two victories, the Fort Hays State University Women’s Basketball team suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Washburn Ichabods. The Tigers lead by as many as 14 before the Ichabods stormed back for a 62-59 win.
Game Recap
In the early minutes, FHSU forced four turnovers. The score was tied at 7 with six minutes left in the opening quarter. The Tigers have had strong first quarters all season long, but failed to capitalize off the Ichabods mistakes in the early going. Fort Hays shot 50% in the first quarter, and despite four Ichabod three points, the Tigers led 20-18 after one. Carly Heim led all scorers with 10 points.
Taylor Rolfs started the second quarter with a three, but both teams began to struggle offensively. Midway through the quarter, FHSU extended their lead to 26-18. Washburn scored their first points of the quarter with 4:23 left before halftime. Fort Hays never trailed in the second quarter and went into the locker room with a 33-24 advantage. The Tigers held Washburn to six points in the quarter.
Additionally, FHSU forced 13 first-half turnovers, including nine steals, and held the Ichabods to 34.5% from the field.
In the second half, Fort Hays increased their lead to 14 with 7:19 left in the third. Washburn scored five unanswered to keep within striking distance. The Ichabods cut the deficit to eight at the 5:06 mark. Minutes later, Washburn crawled all the way back to trail by two. To end the quarter, FHSU was outscored 19-6 to erase their 14 point lead. The Tigers led 47-46 after three.
The final quarter began with lead changes and the Ichabods took an early fourth quarter advantage. With 7:51 remaining, it was tied at 50. Washburn regained the lead, at 53-50. FHSU answered with five straight points to retake the lead seconds later. In the ensuing minutes, lead changes continued. After a pair of layups by the Tigers, FHSU was ahead 59-56 with 2:46 left.
Washburn pulled within one after a Reagan Phelan layup. With a minute to go, the Tigers held on to a 59-58 lead. Phelan made a pair of free throws to give the Ichabods a one-point lead with 26 seconds left. After a missed three by FHSU and a foul, Alexis McAfee made both free throws for Washburn. The Tigers trailed by three with eight seconds left. Fort Hays missed a pair of threes on the following possession and Washburn came away with a 62-59 victory.
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By the Numbers
Overall, the Tigers shot 40% from the field, while Washburn was close behind at 39.3%. FHSU also out-rebounded the Ichabods, 37-36. The game featured seven ties and 12 lead changes. Fort Hays finished with 16 turnovers, while forcing 18.
Individually, Heim contributed with 14 points and six rebounds, while Emma Stroyan added 12 points and nine rebounds. Rolfs finished with 10 points and Tatyana Legette had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Ichabods, McAfee led all players with 18 points and seven rebounds. Phelan added 17 points and Mackenzie Loe finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Washburn (7-1 overall, 1-0 MIAA) will next host the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (8-0, 2-0) on Saturday, December 9th. FHSU (7-1, 2-1) will travel on the 9th to Emporia State in hopes of restarting their winning ways against the Hornets (4-2, 0-0).