Box Score

Sophomore guard Traci Keyser came alive for FHSU with a career-high 31 points, but it was not enough for the Lady Tigers to overcome Northwest Missouri State on its home floor. The Bearcats defeated the Lady Tigers 71-65 Saturday evening (Dec. 18) in Maryville, Mo. FHSU is still winless on the road this year, now at 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the MIAA.

Averaging just 5.1 points and 10.6 minutes per game entering Saturday's contest, Keyser shook off her slow start this year to produce the most points by a Lady Tiger this season. She was 8-of-13 from the field, which included three 3-point field goals, and a perfect 12-of-12 performance at the free-throw line. Free-throws have been Keyser's bread and butter, now a perfect 21-of-21 at the stripe this year. She led the MIAA in free-throw shooting last year.

The 31 points by Keyser was the most by a Lady Tiger since Naomi Bancroft lit up Missouri Southern for 34 last year at home. A 21-point performance by Kimber Weiser was the previous high for a Lady Tiger this year.

Keyser was the only FHSU player in double figures. Crista Bechard was the next-highest scorer with nine.

Gabby Curtis led Northwest Missouri State with 27 points, followed by Shelly Martin with 10. Both teams struggled shooting the ball, but NWMSU was a bit higher in percentage at 37.7 overall compared to 33.9 percent for FHSU.

The Lady Tigers have a couple of weeks off before returning to action on Monday, January 3 against Truman. Game time is set for 5:30 pm.