By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
A strong day on both ends of the court helped fourth-ranked Fort Hays State defeat Northeastern State Saturday afternoon at home, 78-59 (Feb. 12). The Tigers (21-3, 15-3 MIAA) hit a season-high 57.1 percent from behind the arc and matched their season best with 16 steals in the victory. The game was played in front of 3,225 fans inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, the largest crowd for a Division II game this season.
Fort Hays State never trailed in the game after scoring four points in the opening minute. Cydney Bergmann opened the contest with a driving layup before a Sydney Golladay steal led to another layup from Olivia Hollenbeck.
Northeastern State (5-19, 3-15 MIAA) tied things up at 10-10 halfway through the first period before a trio of 3-pointers from Jaden Hobbs propelled the Tigers to a 13-3 run. The RiverHawks kept things close in the second quarter, trailing by as few as seven before going into the locker room behind by eight, 43-35.
The Tigers began to pull away in the second half after ratcheting things up on defense. NSU hit 44.8 percent from the floor before halftime, but managed a shooting effort of just 31.8 percent after the break. An 11-2 run over the heart of the quarter pushed the Tiger lead to double figures for good. Katie Wagner opened the run with a jumper before Whitney Randall dropped in a layup. Golladay followed with back-to-back buckets, prompting an NSU timeout. Bergmann capped off the rally with a layup through contact and the ensuing free throw, putting the Tigers on top by 18, 62-44.
Emma Ruddle knocked down her career-best third 3-pointer of the game in the fourth quarter before Lauren West poured one in from long range late in the frame.
Bergmann led the team by matching her personal best with 15 points thanks to a perfect shooting day – 6-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the line. She also led the team with a career-best five steals. Hobbs added 14 points thanks to four 3-pointers alongside three steals and two assists. Ruddle added 11 points in just 11 minutes of action off the bench.
Hollenbeck blocked three shots in the win, the most in a game by a Tiger this season, while adding eight points, two steals and two assists. Wagner led the team in both rebounds with eight and assists with six in addition to six points and two steals. Eight different Tigers scored at least six points.
Fort Hays State hit 54.5 percent from the floor on the day (30-of-55), the sixth time the Tigers have hit at least half of their shots this season. The defense forced 20 turnovers, turning those miscues into 23 points on the other end. FHSU committed just 12 turnovers on the other end, right at its season average. NSU held a slim edge in rebounding, 30-27. Fort Has State scored 20 points in transition while the RiverHawks had zero fast break points.
The Tigers will head back out on the road Thursday (Feb. 17) when they take on Lincoln in Jefferson City, Mo. beginning at 5:30 p.m.