BY TRISTAN SASSE
With a victory over the Midland University Warriors, the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team improved to 10-2 on the season. On Tuesday, December 19, the Tigers led from start to finish before coming away with a 73-46 win. Fort Hays has now won three consecutive games.
Game Recap
In the early going, both teams struggled from the field. The Tigers took a 6-2 lead while shooting 2-of-8 from the field, while Midland began 1-for-6. FHSU would go on to extend the margin to 14-2, due to a 12-0 run. Fort Hays had a 19-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers forced eight first-quarter turnovers, including five steals by Kacey Kennett. Midland ended the opening quarter 2-for-12 from the field.
The Warriors started the second quarter on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to single digits. At the 6:15 mark, Midland trailed 21-15. Near the end of the half, the Tiger lead jumped to 11. Fort Hays went into the locker room with a 35-25 lead.
FHSU shot 45.5% in the opening half while holding the Warriors to 36.7%. After a slow start, Midland shot 9-for-18 in the second quarter. The Tigers also had the rebounding advantage, at 21-17.
Carly Heim led all players with nine first-half points, while Lindsay Shupe added six points and three Tigers had four points each. Belle Barbieri contributed with six rebounds. For Midland, Amanda Hansen led the Warriors with eight points and Maddie Egr had six points and four rebounds.
Fort Hays began the second half on an 11-0 run, as the Tigers took a 21 point lead. A Midland free throw ended the scoring drought with 5:23 left in the third quarter. FHSU would go on to outscore the Warriors 24-11 in the third quarter to take a commanding 59-36 lead heading into the final period. In the final quarter, the Tigers led by as many as 27, before cruising to a 73-46 victory.
By the Numbers
On the night, FHSU shot 50% from the field, while Midland finished at 33.3%. The Tigers out-rebounded the Warriors 42-29. Fort Hays also forced 17 turnovers and had nine assists.
Leading the Tigers was Heim with 14 points. Kennett added 13 points and seven steals. Tatyana Legette added 12 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. For the Warriors, Joelle Overkamp had 11 points and seven rebounds, while Maddie Egr added nine points and seven rebounds.
Looking Ahead
On Friday, December 29, Midland University (8-8) will face Menlo College (9-1) from Atherton, California in the Peninsula Classic. Meanwhile, FHSU (10-2) will resume play at home on December 30, against the Bethany Swedes (8-7).