FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team overcame a poor shooting night and multiple double-digit deficits to upend Washburn in overtime, 67-64, and earn its first conference victory of the season. The Tigers improve to 7-2 on the year and 1-2 in MIAA play with the win, while the Ichabods dip to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the league. FHSU improved to 8-5 in overtime games under head coach Tony Hobson. The Tigers now own a four-game winning streak against the Ichabods, FHSU’s longest in the series since the ’70s.
The Tigers appeared in control during the early going, leading 15-10 at the end of the period after leading by as many as seven. Fort Hays State then went cold over the second and third quarters, making just 3-of-31 shots from the field to fall behind by double-digits.
Emma Stroyan dropped in a layup with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give the Tigers their first bucket of the second half, closing the gap to single digits, 41-32. The junior’s bucket opened up a 16-4 run for the Tigers, helping the home team take back the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Carly Heim made a layup to open up the final period before pouring in a three-pointer from the top of the key two possessions later, closing within two, 43-41. After a Taylor Rolfs steal, Kacey Kennett tied things up with an easy layup.
The Tigers took their first lead in over 16 minutes on a Nikola Kacperska free throw with 5:33 to play in regulation. The teams went back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, trading the lead three more times. Triples from Kacperska and Heim gave the Tigers momentary leads down the stretch, but the Bods answered with three-pointers of their own each time. With 23 seconds left, Kacperska drilled a pull-up jumper to put FHSU in front, 58-57. The Ichabods drew a foul on the ensuing possession, but Erika Lane made just one of her free throws to tie things up at 58. The Tigers used a timeout to advance the ball to the front court and draw up a play. Kacperska got a look from the top of the key, but her three-pointer rimmed out, leaving the score knotted after 40 minutes of play.
Fort Hays State never trailed in the overtime period, scoring the first seven points in the frame. Kacperska poured in a pair of free throws before Kennett knocked down a jumper to quickly lead by four. Kacperska dropped in her third three-pointer of the game on the next possession to stretch the advantage to seven. The Tigers made two free throws down the stretch while holding the Ichabods to just one field goal in the overtime period to help seal the 67-64 victory. Jharian Bowen fired a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have counted, but it caromed off the back iron and safely into the welcoming arms of Jill Faxon.
Kacperska led all scorers with 18 points, 12 of which came after halftime. Kennett recorded her first double-double of the season, matching her career-high with 13 points while grabbing a personal-best 10 rebounds. Heim also chipped in 13 on 4-of-5 shooting. Bowen led the Ichabods with 17 points, all of which came in the first half. Lang accumulated 13 points to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds.
The Tigers turned 23 Ichabod turnovers into 29 points off turnovers while making just nine turnovers of their own. FHSU spent much of the evening at the free-throw line, reaching season highs in attempts (39) and makes (23).
The home stand will continue for the Tigers this weekend when they host top-ranked Emporia State at 2 p.m. Saturday inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.