BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
PICTURES BY ALLISON SCHWEIZER
Fort Hays state knocks off the Missouri Southern Lions 79-59 at Gross Coliseum behinds Belle Barbieri and Kacy Kennett’s double-figure nights.
Belle Barbieri finished the contest with 18 points, 7-9 from the field, 11 total rebounds, and 2 steals. Kennett struggled during the Tiger’s last home court stand, but she finished Thursday with 17 points, 6-12 from the field, 2-5 from three-point range, and 3-5 from the free-throw line.
The Tigers continue to be perfect at home and improve the record to 15-0, and 26-1 overall.
The women dominated for the duration of the game and entered the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, which extended the lead to 23 points (59-36).
Tatyana Legette came alive during the second half of the game, as she struggled to gain any offensive rhythm during the first two periods (4pts). She took control mainly in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 points, 6-15 from the field, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The 13-15 Missouri Southern Lions couldn’t gain any momentum against the Tigers and it was clear when Lanie Page scored in just four seconds of the initial tipoff of the game for Fort Hays State.
Strong defensive possessions for the Tigers busted the game wide open as they quickly found themselves up 11-2 during the first media timeout. The Lions didn’t enter the scoring column until FHSU sent them to the line (1-1FT)
Missouri Southern established some offensive and defensive hope out the media timeout, but Kacy Kennett stopped the bleeding with a clutch three-pointer.
Fort Hays State lead the Lions 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
A long delay in the opening moments of the second quarter stalled out any momentum Fort Hays State had regained entering the quarter after a personal foul reviewed and called on Missouri Southern’s Laure Assena.
Missouri Southern ended the Tigers lead with a three-pointer, which sparked an 11-6 run. Missouri Southern came back within striking distance, but the 28-19 deficit was just too much for the Lions. Fort Hays State responded with a run and put things out of reach for the remaining of the game (38-20)
Fort Hays State finished the contest 29-62 from the field (46.8%), 18-23 from the line (78.3%), and outscored the Lions on second-chance points 17-8. The Tigers also led in points off turnovers 25-14 and points in the paint 38-28.
You can catch the women back in action Saturday at 2 p.m against Pittsburg State.
