By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KEARNEY, Neb. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team fell 64-48 at No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25) on the final day of the regular season. The Tigers turned the ball over just three times, their fewest in a game since 2019 (11/25/19 vs St. Mary) and the fewest against a Division II opponent since 2016 (2/25/16 at Northeastern State), but a 53-26 rebound margin helped the Lopers pick up the win.
The Tigers (19-11, 14-8 MIAA) kept things close in the first half, trailing 29-25 at halftime. Nebraska-Kearney (27-3, 20-2 MIAA) connected on five 3-pointers in the first half before finishing the game with 11 makes from behind the arc.
A 3-pointer from Ellie Stearns early in the third quarter brought the Tigers back within four, 34-30, before UNK finished the frame on a 22-8 run to build a 16-point lead. FHSU closed within 11 twice in the fourth quarter, but the Lopers responded each time to keep the lead in double figures.
Olivia Hollenbeck led the Tigers with 13 points and five rebounds, with Katie Wagner adding 12 points.
The Tigers wrapped up the regular season as the sixth seed in the MIAA and as a result will play third-seeded Missouri Western in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Championship Tournament presented by Southern Bank. The Tigers and Griffons will open the postseason on Friday (March 3) at 8:15 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
MIAA Tournament
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team will enter the 2023 MIAA Basketball Championship Tournament, presented by Southern Bank, as the No. 6 seed, announced Saturday (Feb. 25) by the league office. This year’s tournament is once again being held inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
The Tigers wrapped up the regular season 19-11 overall and 14-8 in conference play. While the tournament officially kicks off on Wednesday, Fort Hays State will open postseason competition on Friday (March 3) in the quarterfinal round against No. 3 seed Missouri Western at 8:15 p.m.
Should the Tigers win on Friday, they would play again on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. before potentially advancing to the championship game Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
The Tigers are 3-2 all-time when ranked sixth in the MIAA Championships. The Tigers reached the semifinals in 2013 as the No. 6 seed before going 1-1 and falling in the quarterfinals as the No. 6 seed in 2017. FHSU is 2-2 when playing the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
Fort Hays State is 1-0 against Missouri Western in the championship tournament, with the Tigers taking home a quarterfinal victory in 2019. The Tigers are 14-10 all-time in tournament games held in Kansas City.
Here are the prices of tickets through the FHSU Athletic Department…
All-Session Tickets – $50 (Box office price in Kansas City is $75)
Single-Session Tickets – $20
Student Single-Session Tickets – $10
Children Ages 6 and under – FREE
Tickets can be purchased in the FHSU Athletic Office (Office 138 of Cunningham Hall) on the campus of Fort Hays State University during business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays) or by calling the office at (785) 628-4050. Act fast to take advantage of the cost savings, as supplies are limited through the FHSU Athletics Office.
2023 MIAA Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule:
Wednesday, March 1 – First Round Games
6:00 p.m. | Women’s Game 1 | No. 8 Northwest Missouri vs. No. 9 Newman
8:15 p.m. | Women’s Game 2 | No. 7 Emporia State vs. No. 10 Central Oklahoma
Thursday, March 2 – Quarterfinal Games
6:00 p.m. | Women’s Game 3 | No. 1 Nebraska Kearney vs. Winner of Women’s Game 1
8:15 p.m. | Women’s Game 4 | No. 2 Central Missouri vs. Winner of Women’s Game 2
Friday, March 3 – Quarterfinal Games
6:00 p.m. | Women’s Game 5 | No. 4 Pittsburg State vs. No. 5 Missouri Southern
8:15 p.m. | Women’s Game 6 | No. 3 Missouri Western vs. No. 6 Fort Hays State
Saturday, March 4 – Semifinal Games
6:00 p.m. | Women’s Game 7 | Winner of Women’s Game 3 vs. Winner of Women’s Game 5
8:15 p.m. | Women’s Game 8 | Winner of Women’s Game 4 vs. Winner of Women’s Game 6
Sunday, March 5 – Championship Games
3:30 p.m. | Women’s Game 9 | Winner of Women’s Game 7 vs. Winner of Women’s Game 8
*potential FHSU contests and times in bold*