By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team extended its winning streak over in-state rival Washburn to seven games after a 53-46 road win Wednesday evening (Jan. 18). The Tigers (14-6, 9-3 MIAA) held the lead for more than 35 minutes in the contest thanks in large part to 18 Ichabod (7-9, 3-7 MIAA) turnovers.
Both teams got off to slow starts, combining to hit six shots from the floor in the first quarter while wrapping up the first 10 minutes deadlocked at eight. The Tigers turned things around in the second quarter, knocking down more than 57 percent from the floor, while the Ichabod shooters remained ice cold.
The home team entered the locker room with a field goal percentage below 19 percent (5-of-27) alongside 10 first-half turnovers. Fort Hays State ended the first half with a 24-15 lead after shooting over 41 percent (12-of-29) from the floor and poking away seven steals on defense. Washburn’s 15 first-half points are the fewest the Tigers have allowed in a half this season.
Fort Hays State pushed its lead to double figures early in the second half on a strong post move from Olivia Hollenbeck before the Ichabods scored five in a row to keep things within reach. Clary Donica then scored five-straight points to help the Tigers regain control, with Kia Wilson adding a jumper late in the third quarter to put the Tigers up by 11, 39-28.
The Ichabods countered with a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of the period, sparking a 12-0 run entering the fourth quarter that gave the home team its first lead of the day with six minutes to play. Fort Hays State regained the lead for good the next trip down the floor on a layup from Kate Dilsaver.
Emma Ruddle then blocked a shot on the defensive end before burying a left-wing 3-pointer off an inbounds pass, giving the Tigers a two-possesion lead with 4:42 to play. Washburn cut within two points twice down the stretch, but the Tigers had an answer each time. Katie Wagner hit a jumper to push the score to 46-42 before Hollenbeck, Dilsaver and Sydney Golladay combined to go 7-of-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the win.
The Tiger defense was dialed in down the stretch as well, limiting Washburn to 2-of-8 shooting over the final five minutes while creating two turnovers.
Wagner led the Tigers with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, with Ruddle close behind with nine points. The Tiger bench contributed just under half of the scoring on the day, totaling 26 points compared to 27 from the starting five.
Golladay dished out a team-high five rebounds while matching Hollenbeck with a team-best five assists. Gabi Artis led the Ichabods with 16 points, while Yiibari Nwidadah tallied a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Fort Hays State wraps up a quick tour of the Sunflower State with a battle against Emporia State Sunday afternoon (Jan. 22) beginning at 1:30 p.m. inside White Auditorium in Emporia, Kan.