BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team improved their overall record to 11-0 on the season with yet another dominating performance. The Tigers beat Bethany College 84-41.
A healthy balance of minutes for the starters and bench was on full display Sunday for FHSU. Fort Hays State added 38 points onto the board from the support of their bench.
The Tigers jumped out quick and started the affair on a 14-4 run right before the first media timeout. Fort Hays State shot 4-8 from three-point range in the first quarter, which gave them yet another advantage in this matchup. They would finish 7-22 for 31.8%.
The posts for FHSU were just too much for the much smaller lineup that Bethany College had out on the floor. FHSU accounted for 15 total blocks compared to Bethany’s five on the game. The height difference and strength was just too much throughout the game and it cost Bethany down the stretch. FHSU finished with 40 points in the point.
Lanie Page led the team in minutes played with 20. Page finished with 13 points, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and one steal.
The game was seemingly over at halftime for Bethany as the Tigers led 48-21. The Tiger only allowed eight total points for Bethany in the third quarter as the Tigers ended Q3 on a 22-8 run and led 70-29 going into the fourth quarter.
You can catch the Women’s team back in action on January 3rd at Central Missouri.
MBB
The Fort Hays State Men’s team improved to 8-3 on the season, closing out non-conference play against McPherson 82-54.
Fort Hays State struggled to find any rhythm offensively in the opening half. The Tigers found themselves down during the second media timeout, 13-17. Brady Werth found two triples in the first half to keep all the momentum from stalling out. Werth finished the half with 13 points and 2-3 from three-point range.
Devin Davis came off the bench and gave a much-needed boost to their offense. Davis logged 13 minutes and four points, but he brought more to the court than just his scoring. Davis sparked scoring opportunities for others with his aggressive play.
McPherson called their first timeout after the Tigers went on a small surge to tie things back up at 23 with 6:07 left. Fort Hays State couldn’t capitalize on wide open three-point opportunities coming out of the break and it added to the stale presence on the court. The Tigers shot 3-12 at 25% from three-point range on the half.
Fort Hays State was forced to call a timeout after a 4-0 run by McPherson. Multiple empty trips lead to the quick scoring by McPherson. Adjustments out of the timeout lead to five Tiger points.
Fort Hays State entered the half up 30-29.
At the beginning of the second half, Werth picked up an early foul that would put him on the bench. That didn’t stop the Tigers from going on a 15-2 run that forced another timeout by McPherson.
The Tigers came out of the second media timeout of the second half on a 4-0 run that was fueled by a saved pass from out of bounds and a fastbreak lay-in by Marcus Cooper. Jared Vitztum delivered to clutch three-pointers late to really put the nail in the coffin as the Tigers were surging their way to a victory at home.
Brady Werth entered back into the game with 12:20 left after departing early. Werth re-established himself back into the game with a quick three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Werth finished the game with 20 points, 3-5 from three in 21 minutes.
A much more enthusiastic team came out onto the floor for FHSU and they put their early offensive troubles behind them. After starting 12-28 from the field at 42.9%, the Tigers improved their shooting in the second half and finished 20-32 at 62.5%. They finished 32-60 at 53.3% on the game.
You can catch the Men’s team back in action January 3rd at Central Missouri.