BY CORA TASSET
FHSU Women’s Basketball played their fourth game in a row from inside Gross Memorial Coliseum on Monday night. The Tigers beat the Missouri Western Griffons 58-47, pushing their record to 14-2.
Senior forward Whitney Randall scored 23 points and added three rebounds and two assists. Freshman forward Olivia Hollenback scored 15 points and added four blocks, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
“This game was definitely rough, after our three games in one week I think we definitely need to rest our legs and just get prepared for Thursday,” Randall said. “Coach really got onto us at halftime and I think that’s really just what we needed in order to push us, so we didn’t get beat.”
After the first quarter, the Tigers had the lead against the Griffons 10-7. Missouri Western kept it close, but Fort Hays was still in the lead at halftime 20-16.
“The first quarter was really rough for us, but Whitney finally hit a couple three’s out at the top that stretched it out, and Olivia got it inside and hit her free throws well,” said Coach Tony Hobson. “Missouri Western really did a good job and they took us by surprise on how good their zone was and how athletic they were.”
Hollenbeck had seven points, three blocks, two rebounds, and one assist after the first half while Randall added seven points and one assist.
“Whitney started off getting to the basket and getting a few three’s,” Hobson said. “She really got us going during the third quarter, and she just played with a lot of energy during the second half.”
At the end of the third quarter the Tigers pushed their lead to double digits 46-34. Fort Hays kept their double digit lead and beat the Griffons 58-49.
“I’m really excited to see what the future holds, and if we win every game from here on out we could be in first; hopefully we can get that done,” said Randall.