By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team hits the road for its final road trip of the regular season this week, beginning with a Thursday (Feb. 21) evening contest against Central Oklahoma. First tip between the Tigers and Bronchos is set for 5:30 p.m. from Hamilton Field House in Edmond, Okla.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers (23-1, 14-1) hold a two-game lead over second place Washburn in the MIAA standings. Central Oklahoma (15-10, 6-9) currently sits in ninth, one game in front of the 10th and final spot to clinch a trip to Kansas City. A Tiger win combined with a Washburn loss Thursday would secure at least a share of Fort Hays State’s second MIAA regular season championship.
The Tigers had little trouble with the Bronchos in their last meeting, hitting nearly 52 percent from the floor en route to an 81-61 win at home last month (1/12/19). The Tiger defense was on full display, forcing UCO into a season-high 23 turnovers.
The win stretched Fort Hays State’s lead in the all-time series to 10-4, including wins in each of the last two meetings. Central Oklahoma has played the Tigers well at home, however, winning four of the six all-time meetings in Edmond. The Bronchos have won three straight home games against FHSU, with the last Tiger win in Edmond coming in their last MIAA championship season of 2014-15 (56-55, 2/26/15). The Tigers are 9-3 overall and 2-3 on the road against UCO under head coach Tony Hobson.
Lanie Page has averaged 16.7 points in three games against UCO, scoring at least 13 in each contest. Tatyana Legette has scored in double figures four times in her last five games against the Bronchos, averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds during that stretch.
The Bronchos have struggled since the calendar turned to 2019, going just 5-8 since the start of January. The UCO offense ranks 10th in the conference in scoring (66.7 ppg) while their defense is right in the middle of the pack in points allowed at seventh (63.5). The Bronchos rank fourth in the league with a 33.7 shooting percentage behind the arc. Micayla Haynes paces UCO in scoring, averaging 11.6 points per game. Ireon Smith leads the team and ranks eighth in the MIAA by pulling down 7.4 rebounds each contest.