By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 7/3 Fort Hays State women’s basketball team left no doubt in Saturday’s (Nov. 16) 89-47 triumph over Cameron (1-3), dominating in each aspect of the game to cruise to a fourth-consecutive victory to open the season.
After hitting 45.5 percent of their shots Friday evening, the Tigers set a new season-high Saturday with a shooting percentage of 46.9 percent (30-of-64). The defense was equally impressive, forcing 22 Aggie turnovers and blocking five shots.
The Tigers found themselves in an unfamiliar position early in the contest when Cameron scored the first two points of the game, the largest deficit of the young season for FHSU. The Aggies led by as many as three early on, 7-4, before Belle Barbieri took over. The Abilene, Kan. senior scored nine straight points in less than two minutes, pushing the Tigers in front by six, 15-9, midway through the frame.
Cameron regained the lead after scoring seven consecutive points, but the Tigers took the lead for good on a 3-pointer from freshman Lauryn Reither. FHSU closed the period on an 8-2 run to take a 27-20 lead into the second quarter.
The Tigers built a 16-point lead after holding Cameron scoreless for nearly five minutes to open the second quarter. Kacey Kennett scored seven of her 16 points in the second quarter, including the first five points of the frame. Madison Mittie knocked down a pair of free throws late in the half to give the Tigers a 46-31 advantage heading into the locker room.
Jaden Hobbs erupted for 16 points in the second half after finishing the first half scoreless. The junior hit all six of her attempts from the floor after the break, including a 3-for-3 effort from behind the arc.
Hobbs’ 16 points anchored a huge run for the Tigers over the first 14 minutes of the second half. FHSU outscored the Aggies 37-4 over that span, forcing eight turnovers and holding Cameron to just two field goals (2-of-18).
The Tigers opened the second half with 17-straight points, hitting 7-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-5 from deep. The Aggies finally found the bottom of the net six minutes into the quarter before the Tigers went on another big run, this time scoring 16-consecutive points to go in front by 48 midway through the final frame, 83-45.
Barbieri recorded her third double-double of the season, leading the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds while adding two assists.
Hobbs added three rebounds and three assists to her 16 points, while Kennett tallied five steals, three rebounds and one assist in addition to her 16 points.
Reither totaled eight points off the bench, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers while adding two assists. Taylor Rolfs led the team with four assists alongside 11 points and six rebounds.
The Tigers made the most of each possession Saturday, turning the ball over just seven times. FHSU dished out assists on 17 of its 30 made baskets.
Fort Hays State now has nine days off before hosting the University of Saint Mary (Kan.) on Monday, November 25. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.