By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team quickly bounced back from a slow start Thursday evening (Jan. 10) against Northeastern State, using a 12-0 run to take the lead for good before going on to win 88-50. The Tigers move to 14-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA play, while the RiverHawks dip to 3-11 on the year and 0-5 in conference action.
The Tigers knocked down a season-high 50.0 percent from the floor (31-of-62), including a 10-for-22 effort from behind the arc. Whitney Randall scored a career-best 17 points, including 12 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting in the first quarter. Tatyana Legette also scored 17 points to lead the Tigers, while Kacey Kennett (15 points) and Taylor Rolfs (14 points) also reached double figures.
Fort Hays State hit just one of its first six shots, allowing the RiverHawks to jump in front early by as many as five, 7-2. But fueled by six points from Randall and a three-pointer from Kacey Kennett, the home team went on a 12-0 run to set the tone for the rest of the evening. Randall added a pair of three-point plays the old-fashioned way in the final minute of the contest before Rolfs drilled a triple from the right wing to stretch the Tiger lead to 13 after 10 minutes, 26-13.
The teams traded blows for the entirety of the second quarter, with neither side scoring more than four consecutive points. Rolfs knocked down two more long-range attempts in the frame to finish the opening half with nine points. With the clock ticking towards zero, Lanie Page seemingly made something out of nothing, taking the ball to the baseline before firing up a shot with two defenders in her face that rattled in to give the Tigers a 42-28 halftime lead.
The Tigers used the third quarter to pull away, limiting the RiverHawks to just two field goals while forcing six turnovers and making four blocks. Legette and Kennett both scored 10 points thanks to an 8-for-9 effort from the free throw line between them. FHSU outscored Northeastern State 26-5 in the frame, including a pair of 11-0 runs to lead 68-33 with one quarter to play.
One of Fort Hays State’s 11-0 runs closed the quarter and extended to 20-straight points into the fourth quarter, the second-longest scoring run of the season for the Tigers. Hailey Walker hit her second jumper in as many possessions midway through the frame, giving the Tigers their largest lead of the game at 79-34.
The Tigers blocked 11 shots in the game, second most this season, including four from Legette and two each from Page and Carly Heim. Rolfs dished out a team-best four assists while three others contributed three assists (Page, Heim and Randall). Kennett led the way with eight rebounds, her most since the first game of the season (nine).
Fort Hays State will wrap up its quick homestand Saturday (Jan. 12) against Central Oklahoma. First tip with the Bronchos is set for 2 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.