By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team used 10 three-pointers to pull away from Southwest Minnesota State in Friday’s season opener, winning 91-56 (Nov. 9). The 12th-ranked Tigers opened the season with a victory for the 15th-consecutive year, extending the program record. 91 points are the most in a non-overtime game for the Tigers in nearly two years (118 vs. Kansas Christian, 12/31/16)
Fort Hays State never trailed in the contest, leading for nearly 39 minutes after Kacey Kennett opened the scoring with a three-pointer, the first of her team-high 20 points. The junior added a layup on the following possession before Carly Heim drilled a triple, putting the Tigers in front 8-0 less than two minutes into the contest.
After trailing by as many as nine in the period, the Mustangs went on an 8-0 run of their own to tie things up late before freshman Hailey Walker scored the final five points of the quarter to put the Tigers up 22-17 after 10 minutes.
The Tiger lead ballooned to 15 by halftime, 47-32, after SMSU was limited to just four field goals in the frame. Kennett scored 11 of her 20 points in the second quarter, dropping in two shots from behind the arc. Tatyana Legette was also a constant force in the opening half, nearly recording a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
After Southwest Minnesota State outscored the Tigers by one in the third quarter, 19-18, Fort Hays State secured victory No. 1 of the season after holding the Mustangs to just five points and two field goals. The Tigers countered with their best-shooting frame from behind the arc, drilling 4-of-8 from deep to secure the victory.
Five Tigers scored in double figures, with Legette achieving her double-double in the second half to finish with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Belle Barbieri added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Heim and Walker had 11 points each. Lanie Page dished out a team-high five assists to go alongside two steals and a block. Kyleigh Kasper scored four points and grabbed a pair rebounds in just over a minute of action.
Fort Hays State’s biggest advantage came on the glass, holding an astounding 53-35 edge in rebounds. 21 of those boards were on the offensive end, leading to 23 second-chance points. The Tigers finished the day 28-of-70 from the floor (40.0 percent) while limiting SMSU to 29.5 percent shooting (18-of-61).
After watching Upper Iowa fall to Missouri Western before their opener, the Tigers will look to take advantage of the advanced scouting when they play the Peacocks Saturday (Nov. 10) at 7:30 p.m. Tiger fans can get in FREE with a ticket stub from Saturday’s football game.