By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 3/5 Fort Hays State women’s basketball team buried a team-record 17 3-pointers en route to a 106-22 victory over the University of Saint Mary (Kan.) on Monday. The Tigers knocked down 50 percent from the floor (41-of-82), 37 percent from behind the arc (17-of-37), dished out 34 assists, forced 28 turnovers and made 17 steals in the blowout victory.
On the defensive side, it was the fifth-fewest points allowed in program history, and the fewest since Fort Hays State defeated Benedictine College 53-9 late in the 1973-74 season. On the offensive end, the Tigers reached triple digits in scoring for the 24th time in school history, with 12 of those 100-point performances coming under head coach Tony Hobson.
The 46 3-pointers Fort Hays State attempted is both a program and MIAA record, while the 22 points allowed are the fifth-fewest points allowed by an MIAA program. The Spires did not attempt a free throw on the evening, making this the fourth time in conference history a team has allowed zero free throw makes.
It took nearly two minutes for the Tigers to knock down their first 3-pointer, but once Kacey Kennett drilled a three in transition with 8:09 on the clock in the opening quarter, the floodgates opened. Lanie Page knocked one down 90 seconds later before Madison Mittie joined the party with her first of three triples. Hailey Walker buried a long-range attempt one minute later, followed by triples from Lauren Reither and another from Mittie. And that was just the first quarter.
The Tigers scored the first 20 points of the game and led 34-2 after one quarter, tied for the fewest points allowed in a quarter in team history.
Walker finished the game with a career-high five 3-pointers. The sophomore was one of four Tigers to knock down multiple from behind the arc, including three from Page, three from Mittie and two from Reither. In all, eight different Tigers contributed to the 17 made 3-pointers.
All 13 Tigers to see the floor scored at least four points in the contest, with 12 of the 13 scoring in the opening half.
The Black and Gold were firing on all cylinders from the opening tip, knocking down 53.7 percent of their shots, forcing 15 turnovers and allowing just eight points in the opening 20 minutes. The Tigers were credited with assists on 19 of their 22 made baskets before halftime. Page led the way with six assists in the opening half, but Reither finished the game with eight assists, the most for a Tiger in more than three years (8, Nikola Kacperska vs. Southwestern Minnesota State, 11/12/16).
Walker led the team with a career-high 15 points, while Mittie added 13 points and two assists. Taylor Rolfs totaled 11 points and a season-high seven rebounds.
In addition to all the success behind the arc, the Tigers also dominated the game in the paint. Fort Hays State outscored the Spires in the paint, 42-18, and outrebounded its opponent 49-26. Belle Barbieri posted her fourth double-double in a row, the first time a Tiger has recorded at least four double-doubles in a row since Kate Lehman (8 straight, 1/5/15-1/28/15).
Cassidy Haufler added four points and seven rebounds off the bench, including three of Fort Hays State’s 21 offensive boards. Allison McFarren chipped in eight points, three assists and three steals while Cydney Bergmann totaled six points and two rebounds. Kyleigh Kasper finished 2-for-2 from the floor with two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Tigers wrap up a four-game homestand Saturday (Nov. 30) when they host the Bluejays of Tabor College. First tip is set for 5 p.m. in the first men’s/women’s basketball doubleheader of the season. FHSU will hold the Third Annual Stuffed Animal Toss at halftime of the men’s game – fans can receive admission to see both games for just $5 when they bring along a stuffed animal to donate to Toys for Tots.