{"id":35429,"date":"2017-12-01T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2017-12-01T16:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=35429"},"modified":"2017-12-01T09:40:23","modified_gmt":"2017-12-01T15:40:23","slug":"icymi-tiger-basketball-begins-conference-play-with-two-victories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=35429","title":{"rendered":"ICYMI: Tiger Basketball Begins Conference Play with Two Victories"},"content":{"rendered":"

BY TRISTAN SASSE
\nPHOTOS BY MARISSA CASTANOS<\/span><\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Game Recap<\/b><\/p>\n

To begin conference play, the Fort Hays State University women\u2019s basketball team hosted the Missouri Southern Lions. In a game the Tigers would lead from start to finish, FHSU went on to win 76-60. With the victory, Fort Hays improves to 6-0 on the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

FHSU has been able to start games strong all season, the first quarter was no different on Thursday. The Tigers began the game on a 7-2 run. With under three minutes remaining in the first quarter, FHSU extended their lead to eight. Fort Hays ended the opening quarter ahead 19-13. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Tigers began the second quarter on a 13-3 run and extended the lead to 32-16. Missouri Southern connected on six three-pointers in the first half but trailed by as many as 17. FHSU went into halftime with a 42-27 advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Tigers were in double figures in the opening half. Carly Heim and Kacey Kennett led the charge with 13 points each. Tatyana Legette added 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists. FHSU shot 50% in the first half and held the Lions to 8-of-26 from the field (30.8%). The Tigers also forced 13 turnovers in the opening half.<\/span><\/p>\n

FHSU maintained a steady double-digit advantage in the second half. Midway through the third quarter, the Tigers led 50-35. Going into the final quarter, Fort Hays was ahead 57-42.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lions began the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run to trim the lead to 10. With four minutes left, the Tigers held a 65-51 advantage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/b><\/p>\n

For the Tigers, Heim scored 19, while Kennett finished with 18 points. Legette had an all-around game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and six steals. Taylor Rolfs also had a double-double for FHSU with 11 points and 10 rebounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fort Hays shot 40.9% on the night and held the Lions to 29.8% from the field. The Tigers also forced 21 turnovers and led by as many as 20 points. FHSU finished with 34 points in the paint and 17 from the free throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Missouri Southern, Desirea Buerge was the lone Lion in double-digit scoring with 21 points and seven rebounds. Nine of the Lions\u2019 17 made field goals were from beyond the arc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/b><\/p>\n

FHSU (6-0) will host the #19 Pittsburg State Gorillas (6-1) on Saturday afternoon. Also on Saturday, Missouri Southern (1-6) will travel to Kearney, Nebraska to take on the UNK Lopers (7-0). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n