BY FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team has played Newman University 17 times since 1983, but the two teams will meet as MIAA rivals for the first time ever on Thursday (Feb. 6) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Opening tip between the Tigers (16-4, 7-4 MIAA) and Jets (9-13, 4-9 MIAA) is set for 5:30 p.m.
Promotions
Game Sponsor: Cancer Council of Ellis County
National Anthem: Stockton High School
Student Section Theme: Pink night
Mascot Night: Victor E. Tiger and his mascot buddies will be hanging out for pictures, high fives and fun
Halftime performance: Styles Dance
Wear pink with our women’s basketball team in support of Breast Cancer Awareness
FHSU Athletics Greek Week
Fort Hays State holds a 16-1 lead in the series with Newman, including a perfect 10-0 record at home. The Tigers are 7-1 against Newman under head coach Tony Hobson and 5-0 at home.
Trips to the foul line could be few and far between on Thursday, with the Tigers (13.2 fouls/game) and Jets (13.3 fouls/game) ranking sixth and seventh in DII, respectively, in fewest personal fouls per game.
Taylor Rolfs averages 10 points per game in two meetings with the Jets, while Kacey Kennett has recorded 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per night in two games against Newman.
Newman makes the short drive to Hays with a 9-13 record on the year, including a 4-9 mark in their first season as associate members of the MIAA. The Jets have not won a road game in two months (12/7 at Rogers State), losing their last four on the road. Newman is 3-7 away from Fugate Gymnasium this season. The Jets average 63.7 points per contest, ranking 10th in the MIAA, while allowing the sixth-fewest points per game at 61.8 points per game. Kaitlyn Potter has attempted the third-most 3-pointers in DII this year, firing off 199 shots from behind the arc. She ranks seventh in 3-point makes with 70 and leads the MIAA in both categories. Potter leads the team and ranks third in the MIAA with an average of 16.6 points per night.