BY TRISTAN SASSE
In the NCAA Division II Central Regional Semifinal matchup, No. 2 seed Central Missouri knocked off the No. 6 seeded Fort Hays State University Tigers 66-59 from the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Central Missouri advances to the Central Regional Final on Monday. Meanwhile, FHSU finishes the season with 26 wins, the third-most in program history. The Tigers have also won 103 games since the beginning of 2014, the best four-year stretch in school history.
After the Central Missouri Jennies defeated the Tigers 71-51 from Warrensburg, Missouri earlier this season, FHSU kept the contest close for the majority of the game this time around. Fort Hays falls to 1-5 all-time against UCM at a neutral site. Additionally, the Jennies hold a 15-12 advantage in the all-time head-to-head series.
Game Recap
Central Missouri took an early 9-5 lead, with eight points coming from MIAA Player of the Year Paige Redmond. The Jennies made four of their first five shots, but the game was tied at 11 after a 6-2 run by the Tigers midway through the quarter. FHSU took its first lead near the end of the quarter, but Central Missouri held a 20-17 advantage after one.
Fort Hays continued to keep pace and pulled within one, at 25-24, with seven minutes until halftime. Soon after, a quick burst by the Jennies extended their lead to five. Moments later, the Tigers answered with a 10-2 run to take a 34-31 lead. Central Missouri scored a basket late in the quarter, but FHSU went into halftime with a 34-33 edge.
The Jennies shot 48.3% in the first half while the Tigers finished at 46.4%, including 6-of-12 from three-point range. FHSU had 17 first-half rebounds while holding Central Missouri to 12. UCM had nine assists and four turnovers in the first half and Fort Hays had eight assists and six turnovers.
Kacey Kennett led the Tigers with 11 points. Lanie Page added nine points while Taylor Rolfs had six points off the bench. Tatyana Legette and Belle Barbieri each had four rebounds in the opening half.
For Central Missouri, Redmond led all players in the first half with 13 points and five assists. MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Kayonna Lee added six points and four rebounds while Sydney Crockett and Sydney Skaggs each had four points. Megan Skaggs added four rebounds.
Less than three minutes into the second half, the Jennies once again took control, at 37-36. FHSU started the second half 1-of-7 and turned the ball over twice as Central Missouri continued to grow its lead. With four minutes left in the third, UCM held a slight 41-40 advantage. The Jennies outscored the Tigers 8-5 to finish the quarter and led 49-45 entering the fourth.
Central Missouri took command early in the fourth quarter, at 53-47. FHSU continued to struggle from the field and with four minutes left, the Jennies pulled ahead 58-49. The Jennies maintained a comfortable advantage for the remainder of the game, and advance to the Central Regional Final with a 66-59 victory.
By the Numbers
On the night, Central Missouri shot 48.2% from the field while holding the Tigers to 39.6%. FHSU made eight threes, but only two came in the second half. The Jennies also outrebounded Fort Hays 32-31, had more assists (14-13), and forced 12 turnovers. Both teams finished with six steals.
Kennett led the Tigers with a game-high 17 points and three rebounds. Page added nine points (all in the first half) while Legette had eight points and six rebounds. Emma Stroyan also had eight points while Barbieri had six points and seven rebounds off the bench.
For the Jennies, Redmond had 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Lee contributed with 12 points and 11 rebounds while Morgan Fleming had nine points and six rebounds. Megan Skaggs added eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Looking Ahead
Central Missouri (26-3) will face No. 1 Augustana (28-3) or No. 5 Northern State (26-5) in the Central Regional Final on Monday, March 12. Meanwhile, FHSU finishes its season at 26-7.