By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 18th-ranked Fort Hays State continued its winning ways on Thursday (Dec. 7), using a big third quarter to rally from a halftime deficit and defeat formerly unbeaten Northwest Missouri State, 62-48. The Tigers (7-0, 3-0 MIAA) held the Bearcats (7-1, 2-1 MIAA) to a season-low shooting percentage of 31.6 percent while forcing 14 turnovers thanks to eight steals.
The teams traded blows in the first half, with the lead changing hands seven times. Neither side got up by more than two possessions, with the Tigers taking a five-point advantage just before the second quarter media timeout on a stick-back layup from Olivia Hollenbeck, 23-18. Northwest responded by scoring 10 of the final 12 points in the quarter, including a buzzer-beating triple from the top of the key that gave the visitors a 28-25 lead at the break.
Facing a halftime deficit for the first time all season, the Tigers were quick to battle back when Hollenbeck made a layup through contact and poured in the ensuing free throw to tie the score. Northwest Missouri State answered with a bucket before the Tigers took over, scoring the next 14 points and holding the Bearcats scoreless for nearly seven minutes.
Katie Wagner began the run with a jumper before Hollenbeck scored again in the paint, giving the Tigers the lead for good. Emma Ruddle scored on a driving layup on the next FHSU possession before Megan Earney kept things rolling just 23 seconds later, drilling a 3-pointer to push the lead to seven, 37-30. Ruddle added another 3-pointer two possessions later before Hollenbeck knocked down a pair of free throws to end the run and put the Tigers up by 12, 42-30.
After hitting 80 percent from the floor in the third quarter (8-of-10), including a perfect 3-for-3 effort from behind the arc, the Tigers cooled off a bit in the fourth quarter, but the defense was just as stout. FHSU held the Bearcats to below 24 percent shooting in both the third and fourth quarters, combining for just seven field goals in the second half (7-of-30). The lead grew as high as 19 on a bucket from Wagner midway through the fourth.
Wagner led the Tigers with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Hollenbeck added 11 points to reach double figures in scoring for a sixth time against the Bearcats in six tries. Brooke Loewescored eight points and added three assists off the bench, with Jessie Sallach adding six points and four rebounds. Ruddle, Earney, Sydney Golladay and Ellie Stearns all scored five points each, with Golladay matching the team lead with three assists.
The Tigers knocked 44.7 percent from the floor (21-of-47) and outrebounded the Bearcats by five, 35-30.
This season’s seven-consecutive wins to start the year are tied for the fourth-best start to a campaign in program history. The Tigers will look to make it eight in a row Saturday (Dec. 9, 2 p.m.) when they host Missouri Western (5-3, 1-2 MIAA).