FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – After opening the year with a 6-0 record in non-conference tune-ups, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team jumps into MIAA action this week with a pair of league contests. The Tigers will open the conference portion of the season in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 1).
The Tigers are 6-4 all-time in MIAA openers, including a 1-3 record when the first conference game is on the road. FHSU has never played Missouri Southern to open the conference season.
Fort Hays State is 10-5 against Missouri Southern under head coach Tony Hobson and holds a 29-17 lead in the all-time series. The Lions do own a 13-8 edge in the all-time series in Joplin, including winning four of the six games Hobson has coached inside Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Five of those six games were decided by 10 points or less.
In addition to their undefeated record, the Tigers rank among the best in Division II in numerous statistical categories. Through games played Monday (Nov. 28), the team is second in field goal percentage (52.8 percent), third in scoring margin (plus-39.7), third in assists per game (22.5), third in blocks per game (6.5), third in assist/turnover ratio (1.93), fourth in scoring (94.3 points per game) and fifth in three-point field goals per game (11.5).
The Tigers have featured a very balanced offense so far this season, with eight different players averaging eight or more points per contest. Jill Faxon leads the team with 14.2 points per game with freshman Taylor Rolfs chipping in 10.2 points each night. Emma Stroyan leads the team with 6.5 rebounds per game and also ranks sixth in the nation with 18 blocks so far this year. Four players already have 10 or more steals, led by Nikola Kacperska’s 15 swipes. The senior guard also paces the team with 27 assists to date.
The Lions head into conference play with a 3-4 record, dropping four of their last six. All seven games were against Division II opponents. Traditionally very good at home (35-10 in the last three years), MSSU has already lost in Joplin once this season, falling to Harding 73-61 during the second week of the season.
Deb Holcomb leads the Lions with 14.3 points 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Desirea Buerge grabs a team-best 5.7 rebounds per contest with Jenson Maydew blocking one shot each night.
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