By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team took care of business on its home floor Thursday evening (Jan. 5), defeating 11th-ranked Missouri Southern 72-54. The Tigers (13-4, 8-1 MIAA) trailed by as many as 11 early before pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Fort Hays State hit 50.0 percent from the floor on the night (25-of-50), the sixth time the Tigers have knocked down at least half of their shots this season and the fourth time out of their last five games.
The Lions (12-3, 4-3 MIAA) opened the game on a furious run, scoring the first 10 points after knocking down four shots in a row. They later led 14-3 at the midway point of the quarter before FHSU closed the first on a 12-2 run, cutting within 16-15.
Fort Hays State pulled in front early in the second quarter when 3-point shots began to fall for the home team. Sydney Golladay, Kate Dilsaver, Ellie Stearns and Emma Ruddle all connected from long range in the second, helping the Tigers to a 36-30 lead at the break.
The tide turned again out of the locker room, with Missouri Southern regaining a 3-point lead thanks to a 12-1 run at the start of the third quarter. Dilsaver broke up the run with a layup just after the five-minute mark before a pair of free throws from Olivia Hollenbeck pushed the Tigers back in front. MSSU momentarily tied things up at 43 before the Tigers scored 10 in a row into the fourth quarter to take the lead for good.
The Lions managed to close within five later in the fourth, but layups from Hollenbeck and Katie Wagner on back-to-back possessions pushed the momentum back in favor of FHSU. The Tigers sealed the contest after finishing the game 7-for-9 from the free-throw line over the final 94 seconds.
The Tigers won the battle in the paint, outscoring MSSU 32-20 while grabbing one more rebound, 35-34. FHSU turned the ball over just 10 times while limiting Missouri Southern to a season-low four steals.
Dilsaver led all scorers with a career-high 16 points after knocking down 6-of-10 from the floor. Stearns and Hollenbeck each added 12 points, while Golladay distributed a team-high four assists. Jessie Sallach led the team with seven rebounds and added eight points and two assists.
The Tiger defense held defending MIAA Player of the Year Lacy Stokes in check, limiting the sophomore guard to four points on 1-of-11 shooting while still managing eight assists. Kryslyn Jones led the Lions with 15 points on five 3-pointers.
Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend against Pittsburg State on Saturday (Jan. 7) beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.