By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EDMOND, Okla. – A victory over Central Oklahoma for the fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team and other results from around the conference helped the Tigers clinch at least a share of the MIAA regular season title Thursday evening (Feb. 21). The Tigers took care of their own business inside Hamilton Field House, closing the game on a 17-2 run to defeat the Bronchos by 22, 70-48.
The championship is the team’s second MIAA title and the 10th conference championship in conference history. One win over the final three games of the regular season will give Fort Hays State the title outright.
The Tigers used their size to their advantage all evening, outrebounding the Bronchos 50-28 while outscoring UCO in the paint, 39-16.
After both sides got out to a slow start in the first quarter, the Tigers took the lead for good on a Whitney Randall layup two minutes into the second frame. Fort Hays State took a 32-23 lead into the locker room after it closed the half on a 9-3 run thanks in part to five points from Hailey Walker.
The Tigers came out of the intermission on fire, knocking down eight of their first nine shots from the floor. Four different Tigers knocked down a pair of shots during the run, including seven points from Lanie Page.
Central Oklahoma battled back over the next six minutes, spanning the end of the third quarter with a 12-0 run to close within seven, 53-46. But the Tigers saved the best for last, giving up just two points over the final six-plus minutes while knocking down a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc to seal the victory. Page scored 10 of her game-high 20 points over the final 6:34 while Randall added five points on 2-of-2 shooting down the stretch.
Belle Barbieri posted the second double-double of her career, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds while leading the way with four assists. Page finished 4-for-8 from behind the arc and matched her career high with nine rebounds. Kacey Kennett totaled 14 points and nine rebounds while Tatyana Legette chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
After hitting just 1-of-6 from behind the arc in the first quarter, the Tigers knocked down nearly 50 percent from deep over the final 30 minutes (7-of-15).
The win snapped a three-game losing streak to UCO in Edmond.
The Tigers will look to for their 10th consecutive win Saturday (Feb. 23) when they take on Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. First tip is set for 1:30 p.m.