By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 11 Fort Hays State women’s basketball team picked up its ninth straight victory Monday evening (Feb. 8), holding off Missouri Western, 58-49. The Tigers (14-2, 14-2 MIAA) are now tied for first place in the MIAA with Nebraska-Kearney and Central Missouri with six games to play in the regular season, while Missouri Western dips to 3-11 on the year.
Both teams opened the game with slow starts, combining for just 36 points before halftime. The Tigers held MWSU to less than 10 points in each of the first two quarters, the first time this season an opponent has had multiple single-digit scoring quarters in a game. Fort Hays State led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, the fewest points allowed in a frame by the Tigers this year.
Olivia Hollenbeck got things done for the Tigers in the first quarter, matching the Griffons with seven points on 2-of-2 shooting and 3-of-3 shooting from the line. Madison Mittie added a 3-pointer to help the Tigers lead by three despite shooting 18.8 percent from the floor (3-of-16). Whitney Randall got her night started in the second quarter, scoring seven of FHSU’s 10 points.
The Tiger defense forced 10 turnovers and held the Griffons to just 20 percent shooting from the floor (6-of-30) in the opening half.
Fort Hays State broke things open in the third quarter, hitting 8-of-17 from the floor (47.1 percent) and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to take a 12-point lead, 46-34. Randall kept rolling out of the locker room, scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the third quarter. The senior buried a pair of 3-pointers early in the frame, helping the Tigers push their lead to double digits, 33-23.
The Tigers led by as many as 14 when Randall converted on a fast-break layup late in the third, stretching the lead to 44-30.
Fort Hays State struggled from the floor again in the final quarter, but the Tiger defense did more than enough to help the Tigers seal the win. The Tigers forced four turnovers and held the Griffons below 30 percent shooting (5-of-18) over the final 10 minutes while hitting 6-of-6 from the free-throw line down the stretch.
The Tigers hit 32.7 percent from the floor (18-of-55), their lowest shooting percentage of the season, while holding Missouri Western to just 26.9 percent shooting (18-of-67). Fort Hays State won the game at the free-throw line, hitting 16-of-17 from the stripe. The Tigers blocked seven shots, including four from Hollenbeck and two from Emma Ruddle.
Randall led the Tigers with 23 points after hitting three of FHSU’s six 3-pointers. Hollenbeck added 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting while hitting 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Katie Wagner grabbed a team-high eight rebounds alongside three assists and two points. Jaden Hobbs totaled five points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Fort Hays State returns to action Thursday (Feb. 11) when the Tigers head south to take on Rogers State. First tip from Claremore, Okla. is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.