By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
After a pair of conference wins last week, the sixth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team takes a break from MIAA play when Tabor College comes to town Friday (Dec. 14). First tip between the Tigers and Bluejays is set for 7 p.m.
Fort Hays State has dominated the all-time series with Tabor, winning all 19 contests. The Bluejays lost by just three points twice in the ’70s, but FHSU has won 16-straight by double-figures. The Tigers are 15-0 against Tabor in Hays. Tony Hobson is 7-0 against the Bluejays, including earning his 600th career win against the Bluejays in last year’s 90-44 victory.
Tabor is off to a 9-3 start and is ranked 19th in the NAIA DII Coaches’ Top 25. The Bluejays already have one victory over an NCAA DII program on its resume this season, defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State by 15 points on November 5, 77-62. Tabor is scoring over 64 points per game while limiting opponents to just 54 points per night. They rank fifth in the NAIA Division II with a free throw percentage of 80.2 percent. The Bluejays are led by a trio of seniors in Morgan Ediger, Taylor Deniston and Kristyn Wedel. Ediger averages 11.3 points per game, while Deniston adds 10.6 each game and Wedel chips in 8.3 ppg. Wedel paces the team in rebounding, grabbing 6.7 boards per contest. Deniston dishes out a team-best 2.67 assists each night.
Kacey Kennett has scored 13 points against the Bluejays each of the last two years. Tatyana Legette averages 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in two matchups against Tabor.
The Tigers are 8-0 for the third time in program history and the first since 2015-16. FHSU is two wins away from matching its best start in program history, winning the first 10 games of the year in 2012-13 and 2015-16.