By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KEARNEY, Neb. – Despite a slow start from the field in the first half, the 11th-ranked Fort Hays State used white-hot shooting from the free-throw line to cruise past Chadron State Sunday, 89-59 (Nov. 25). The Tigers knocked down 31 free throws on the day (31-of-38, 81.6 percent), their most in a single game since 2016 (2/18/16 vs. Lindenwood, 33-of-47).
The Tigers are now 5-0 to start the season for the fourth-consecutive season, while the Eagles dip to 1-5 on the year. Fort Hays State now has 25 victories over Chadron State all-time, 10th-most against any program.
Fort Hays State was limited to 32.3 percent from the floor (10-for-31) and just one more field goal than the Eagles in the first half, but a 13-for-15 effort from the charity stripe in the first 20 minutes helped the Tigers storm in front by 14, 36-22.
Chadron State led by two early on, but a 9-0 run in the heart of the first quarter gave the Tigers the lead for good. Fort Hays State went in front by double figures for the first time early in the second frame after a layup from Madison Mittie and went in front by more than 10 for good a minute later when Mittie drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing.
As the Tigers started to find the bottom of the net more often after the break, the FHSU defense stepped things up as well, forcing 15 second half turnovers by the Eagles. The Tigers hit 50 percent from the floor over the final two quarters, including a 5-for-12 effort from behind the arc. The success continued at the free throw line, with FHSU knocking down 18-of-23 from the charity stripe.
Lanie Page found her stroke in the second half, totaling 11 of her team-high 16 points after hitting 4-of-5 from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point land. She was one of nine players who chipped in to the Tigers’ 28 points in the fourth quarter, their most in a period this season.
Page was joined in double figures by Legette, who made 9-of-12 from the charity stripe en route to 14 points, and Kacey Kennett (10 pts). Four other players totaled eight points, including Mittie, Belle Barbieri, Carly Heim and Whitney Randall. All 14 Tigers saw the floor, with 12 different players scoring. Kennett swiped five of FHSU’s 19 steals while Legette totaled four blocks. Hailey Walker dished out a team-best three assists.
Fort Hays State forced 28 turnovers in the victory, the most by a Tiger opponent in nearly three years (30 at Northwest Missouri State, 1/23/16).
The Tigers will return to Gross Memorial Coliseum for six-straight home games in the month of December, beginning with a 2 p.m. contest against Missouri Valley on Saturday, December 1.