By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WICHITA, Kan. – A stout defensive effort and a solid afternoon of shooting helped the 21st-ranked Fort Hays State women’s basketball team cruise past Newman on Sunday (Dec. 17), 85-35. It was the largest margin of victory in series history and the first time the Tigers outscored an opponent by at least 50 points since 2021 (89-38 vs. Bethel, 12/20/21).
The Tigers (9-1, 4-1 MIAA) finished the game with 17 steals, their most in a game against an NCAA Division II opponent in nearly four years (17 steals vs. Missouri Southern, 1/4/20). The offense was just as efficient, with FHSU hitting a season-best 10 3-pointers on a season-high 43.5 percent shooting from behind the arc (10-of-23).
Eleven of the 12 Tigers to see the floor scored a point, including nine players with five or more points. Katie Wagner led the way with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and six steals, while Emma Ruddle added 15 points thanks to a trio of 3-pointers.
The Tigers held Newman without a field goal in the first quarter, racing in front 18-4 by the end of the first frame after forcing 11-consecutive Jet misses from the floor and eight turnovers. Newman hit its first field goal nearly four minutes into the second quarter after Clary Donica, Ellie Stearns and Wagner opened the frame with six Tiger points. A Ruddle 3-pointer pushed the Tiger lead as high as 23 late in the first half before Newman scored the final four points of the period, closing within 34-15 at the break.
Fort Hays State turned things up a notch in the second half, scoring 25 points in the third quarter before totaling 26 in the fourth quarter to complete the victory. Both Wagner and Ruddle scored 10 points after halftime, combining for 20 points over the last 20 minutes while FHSU held Newman to just 20 points as a team in the second half.
The Tigers collected 21 offensive rebounds on the day, turning those boards into 30 second-chance points. FHSU outrebounded the Jets by 29, 55-26, and won the points battle in the paint, 38-16.
Fort Hays State will wrap up the road trip Tuesday at Central Oklahoma (Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m.) before returning to Gross Memorial Coliseum after the holiday break to take on Bethany on December 30 beginning at 2 p.m.