BY TRISTAN SASSE
After coming off a defeat to Central Oklahoma last weekend, the Fort Hays State University women’s basketball team was looking for redemption against UCO on Saturday. Both teams entered the contest at 20-5 overall and tied for third place in the conference at 11-5. This time around, FHSU had the upper hand and came away with a commanding 82-67 victory. Tony Hobson recorded his 200th win at Fort Hays and FHSU improved to 14-1 at home on the season.
Game Recap
The Tigers took a 9-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Soon after, FHSU extended the lead to eight. Fort Hays led by as many as 10 points in the opening quarter and was ahead 19-10 after one. In the first quarter, FHSU scored 14 points in the paint and forced five turnovers.
To begin the second quarter, the Tigers maintained a nine-point margin. FHSU followed with a 10-3 run and led 33-17 with under five minutes until halftime. The Bronchos closed the half on a 15-9 run, but Fort Hays was ahead 42-32 heading into halftime.
The Tigers shot 51.5% in the opening half and held UCO to 44.8%. Additionally, Fort Hays out-rebounded Central Oklahoma 19-14. FHSU also had eight first-half assists, forced 10 turnovers, and dominated the paint with 24 points.
Leading Fort Hays was Carly Heim with 14 points. Lanie Page followed with 10 points, while Emma Stroyan had six points. Eight Tigers scored in the first half. For the Bronchos, Megan Hartness led UCO with nine points off the bench. Melinda Murillo added seven points and three rebounds, but had five turnovers.
Early in the second half, FHSU held a 10-point margin. Five minutes into the half, the Tigers were up 53-41. Fort Hays held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the period and went into the fourth quarter leading 66-53.
The high-scoring Tigers reached 70 points with eight minutes left, as they took a 71-55 advantage. With under four minutes left in the game the lead was trimmed to 12. Fort Hays held a double-digit lead the rest of the way though and secured an 82-67 victory. With the win, FHSU moved into a tie for third in the conference with UNK.
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By the Numbers
On the afternoon, the Tigers shot 49.2% from the field while holding Central Oklahoma to 40.3%. Additionally, FHSU dominated the rebounding battle 43-34, had 16 assists, and forced 13 turnovers. On the other side, UCO’s bench finished with 32 of the team’s 67 total points.
For the Tigers, Heim finished with a game-high 23 points and six rebounds. Page added 20 points and four rebounds, while Whitney Clampitt had nine points and three rebounds. For the Bronchos, Jo’Nah Johnson led UCO with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Additionally, Murillo finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Jesheon Cooper had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Up next, the Tigers (21-5, 12-5) will travel to Kearney, Nebraska to face the UNK Lopers (20-5, 12-5) on Tuesday. FHSU was defeated by UNK 78-64 last month. Meanwhile, Central Oklahoma (20-6, 11-6) will return home to host the Washburn Ichabods (18-8, 10-7). The Bronchos survived the Ichabods 62-60 at Topeka in January.