BY MAKENNA ALLEN
PHOTO BY ALLISON SCHWEIZER
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team triumphed 62-53 over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers on Tuesday. The two teams tipped-off at 5:30 in Gross Memorial Coliseum in what was the 91st meeting between the Tigers and Lopers. The game proved to be another close match-up, following the Tigers’ 69-67 victory over the Lopers last season in Kearney. Ultimately, the game proved tighter than the nearly 10-point difference in the final score reflected.
“They have good players. Their new kids are good,” Head Coach Tony Hobson said. “They’re pretty strong in the post and they’re always physical. They’re going to play us tough and we knew it would be like that.”
This close battle began early in the game as the Tigers initially pulled ahead, holding a seven-point lead over the Lopers within the game’s first minutes. However, as the Tigers cooled, the Lopers quickly closed the gap and took the lead, leaving the Tigers scoreless for two minutes. Despite the 9-1 run by the Lopers, the Tigers were able to spring back to lead a one-point 15-14 game at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers rushed into the second quarter of the game, gaining momentum as Kacey Kennett put up 10 points throughout the quarter that allowed Fort Hays to extend its lead to the widest gap of the game at 14 points. After the Lopers drilled a deep 3-point buzzer beater, the Tigers left the court at half leading the game 34-23.
The 11-point lead did not last long, however, as the Tigers struggled to hold off the Lopers during the game’s third quarter. A slow, methodical effort by the Lopers allowed the team to close the score to just four points by the end of the quarter.
“Our third quarter was not good. We didn’t execute very well,” said Hobson. “We just got beat off the dribble too much and that’s their game, attacking the basket.”
The difference in play between the first and third quarters and the stronger second and fourth quarters can be attributed to a change in defense that remains a mystery to Hobson.
“I’m just not sure because basically, the same people were going in and out of there so it isn’t really personnelle,” said Hobson. “Part of it was them (the Lopers). They were pretty smart and just went four-out and dribbled around and they’ve got good enough post play that they can do some damage in there. I’m not sure why there is such a glaring difference.”
Despite the fact that Hobson believed his players should have been more rested in the game’s third quarter, the Tigers ultimately surged during the fourth quarter with senior forward Tatyana Legette catching fire to put up 13-points total in the game’s second half. Legette concluded the game with 23-points towards the overall score as she came close to reaching her career record of 29-points. Legette also dominated from the free throw line, making 11 of 12 attempts over the course of the game.
According to Hobson, Legette and her ability to score from underneath the basket played a large role in the team’s success.
“When T’s playing like that, we can get by without making a bunch of outside shots,” said Hobson. “We needed her tonight because they have good post play but neither one of their five men could handle T offensively. She was either getting a good shot or getting to the line.”
Hobson also emphasized the significance of Legette’s strong rebounding skills.
“She just rebounds on a different level. She gets the first opportunity to get a rebound at every rebound because she’s a foot higher than everybody. So she gets first shot and she just has to miss it or not be there to not get them,” said Hobson.
The hard-fought victory allowed the Tigers to hold their lead of 55-36 in the long-standing series against the Lopers. This match-up was also just the first of 19 conference games that the Tigers will play as they set their sights on a national championship later this season.
“You can’t go 19-0 if you don’t go 1-0, especially at home,” said Hobson. “We have to protect our own floor.”
The Tigers hope to extend this lead to 2-0 as they prepare for their next game, Saturday, Dec. 8, at home against Emporia State. Tip-off is set for 2:00 in Gross Memorial Coliseum.
