By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 16th-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team looks for a second-straight MIAA victory when league-leading Pittsburg State comes to town Monday evening (Jan. 6). First tip is set for 5:30 inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
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National Anthem: Prairie Timbre Quartet
Retro Night: First 250 fans receive retro FHSU t-shirt & special retro concession prices – $1 hot dogs, popcorn & small drinks!
The Tigers (10-2, 1-2 MIAA) have won each of the last five games against Pittsburg State (7-4, 3-0 MIAA), taking a 30-27 lead in the all-time series. Fort Hays State is 18-9 at home all-time against the Gorillas, including five-straight wins inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. PSU’s last win in Hays came late in the 2013-14 season (2/15/14, 71-67). FHSU is 9-13 overall and 6-4 at home against the Gorillas under head coach Tony Hobson.
After trailing by as many as eight points in the first half, the Tigers rallied to knock the Gorillas out of the postseason in last year’s Central Region quarterfinal, 74-65 (3/15/19). Belle Barbieri paced the team with 17 points, while Taylor Rolfs added 16. Madison Mittie scored a season-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting and Kacey Kennett put a double-double (12p, 11r).
Kennett averages 10.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in six games against PSU. Barbieri has averaged 8.4 points in five meetings with the Gorillas. Rolfs is scoring 8.3 points in six contest against Pittsburg State, including two games with at least 16 points.
After dropping three non-conference games over the first month of the season, the Gorillas have bounced back to win five of their last six games, including their first three conference matchups. They are one of three undefeated teams remaining in league play. PSU is 3-1 in true road games this season.
Pittsburg State sports one of the strongest offenses in the league, ranking second with an average of 80.0 points per night. They surrender 67.5 points per contest to opponents, 10th in the MIAA. Four Gorillas rank in the top 20 in the MIAA in scoring, including conference-leader Tristan Gegg and her 18.3 points per night. Athena Alvarado adds 15.9 points per game, with Maya Williams chipping in 13.7 ppg and Kaylee DaMitz averaging 13.2 ppg. Williams grabs a team-high 8.6 rebounds per contest, with Alvarado close behind with 8.5 rpg, both ranking in the top five in the league. DaMitz ranks second in the MIAA with 4.8 assists per game.