By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
After a pair of road victories last week, the fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team returns to the friendly confines of Gross Memorial Coliseum for two more MIAA contests this weekend. First up for the 13-0 Tigers is a Thursday evening (Jan. 10) contest with Northeastern State, with the opening tip slated for 5:30 p.m.
While the action during the game is sure to be exciting, fans are encouraged to stay in their seat at halftime as the Tigers welcome Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act for an incredible halftime performance! Tyler has been featured on America’s Got Talent, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Regis and Kelly. He’s been wowing crowds for the past eight years and his routine has been the No. 1 most booked halftime act in college basketball over the last three years. He will be performing at both halftimes, you won’t want to miss either performance!
The Tigers lead the all-time series with NSU 11-3, including 10-straight victories. FHSU has never lost to the RiverHawks in Hays, winning all five meetings. The Tigers are 11-2 against NSU under Hobson, including a 5-0 mark in Hays.
The Tigers rank in the top 10 in the country in 13 statistical categories, including turnovers per game(10.2, first), turnover margin (+10.85, fourth), assist/turnover ratio (1.37, sixth), blocked shots (69, ninth), blocks per game (5.3, eighth), fewest turnovers (132, sixth), free throw attempts (342 seventh), free throw makes (255, second), personal fouls per game (13.4, ninth), scoring defense (52.5, tenth), scoring margin (28.0, fourth), scoring offense (81.5, tenth) and win percentage (seven undefeated teams remain). FHSU is one of two programs ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense and offense.
Northeastern State heads into the week 3-10 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play. The RiverHawk offense averages 62.7 points per contest, 13th in the league, while they rank 14th in the MIAA with a shooting percentage of 37.6 percent. Cenia Hayes averages a team-best 12.9 points per contest, with Cailyn Long (12.2 ppg) and Bailee Eldred (11.4 ppg) also averaging in double figures. Eldred is the top rebounder on the squad, corralling 7.5 boards each night.