BY TRISTAN SASSE
In their first game of 2018, the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team traveled to Warrensburg, Missouri to take on the No. 11 ranked Central Missouri Jennies. For the majority of the evening, the Tigers struggled from the field, as UCM came away with a 71-51 victory. Fort Hays fell to 11-3 on the season, while the Jennies improved to 10-1.
Game Recap
FHSU began the game with the first five points, but Central Missouri answered with an 11-2 run to take an 11-7 lead. The Jennies built off their lead and pulled ahead 16-8 with 4:57 remaining in the opening quarter. Nearing the end of the quarter, UCM increased their lead to double-digits. After one, the Jennies led 29-15, while shooting 61.9% from the field. The Tigers shot 45.5% in the opening quarter and had five turnovers.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Central Missouri’s lead grew to 18. With under five minutes until the half, the Jennies maintained a 36-22 advantage. The Jennies took a 39-27 lead heading into halftime.
In the first half, UCM shot 50% from the field, while holding the Tigers to 38.1%. FHSU out-rebounded the Jennies in the opening half 17-15, but had 10 turnovers and took 13 fewer shots.
Taylor Rolfs and Kacey Kennett led Fort Hays with seven points each. Tatyana Legette added six rebounds, while Belle Barbieri tallied five of her own. For Central Missouri, Paige Redmond led all scorers with 12 points. Megan Skaggs contributed with six points and three steals. Also for UCM, Jolene Shipps had six points and six rebounds.
Early in the second half, the Jennies increased their lead to 15. With four minutes left in the third, UCM held a 48-35 advantage. Central Missouri maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the third quarter and led 50-38 heading into the final quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter, FHSU pulled within 10, but the Jennies responded by scoring 10 straight points. Central Missouri would go on to lead by as many as 22 points in the final quarter before coming away with a 71-51 win.
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By the Numbers
On the night, Central Missouri shot 50.8%, while holding the Tigers to 37.5%. FHSU finished with more rebounds (35-28) but had 18 turnovers which led to 27 points off turnovers.
For the Tigers, Kennett finished with 13 points and three rebounds. Rolfs added nine points and Carley Heim contributed eight. Legette finished with six points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
For the Jennies, Redmond led all players with 17 points and four assists. Skaggs added 14 points and four steals, while Morgan Fleming finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Looking Ahead
Next, FHSU (11-3) will travel to Bolivar, Missouri to take on Southwest Baptist (8-5) on Saturday, January 6. Also on Saturday, No. 11 Central Missouri (10-1) will return home and host Nebraska-Kearney (11-2).