By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The fifth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team continues a three-game road trip Thursday (Feb. 7) when the Tigers take on Pittsburg State. The Tigers carry a 19-1 record into the contest, including a conference-best 10-1 MIAA mark, while the Gorillas are 17-4 overall and 9-3 in league play.
The Tigers defeated Pittsburg State twice last season, winning at home early in the season before knocking out the Gorillas in the semifinals of the MIAA Championships in Kansas City.
Fort Hays State’s two wins over PSU last season evened up the all-time series at 27-27. The Gorillas have controlled the series in Pittsburg, holding a 17-10 advantage including eight-straight home wins over FHSU. The Tigers are 6-13 against PSU under Hobson, including a 1-8 record in Pittsburg.
While Tatyana Legette has led the team in scoring average for much of the year, the senior has taken things to another level over the last few weeks. Legette is averaging 16 points over the last seven games, including matching her career-high in Saturday’s thrilling come-from-behind win at Nebraska-Kearney.
Pittsburg State currently ranks third in the MIAA, 1.5 games behind FHSU. The Gorillas boast the second-best offense in the league behind FHSU, totaling 75.2 points per contest. They are the top three-point shooting team in the conference, knocking down 37.9 percent from behind the arc. Shelby Lopez is one of three Gorillas averaging in double figures, recording 12.3 points each night. Athena Alvarado averages 6.9 rebounds per game, ranking ninth in the MIAA. Freshman Kaylee DaMitz leads the league and ranks 36th in the country with 4.8 assists per outing.