Box Score

The Lady Tigers looked to be in good position for their first road win of the season, but a 14-point second half lead evaporated as Missouri Southern battled back to win 59-57 in overtime Monday night (Jan. 10) in Joplin, Mo.

Fort Hays State held a 35-21 lead with 17:03 remaining in the second half, but that lead vanished as the Lady Tigers went scoreless for the next 7:07 and Missouri Southern (8-6, 6-3 MIAA) went on a 17-0 run to take a three-point lead. From that point, the game was close the rest of the way, with neither team leading by more than four.

It was an offensive struggle, as both teams shot under 30 percent from the field for the majority of the game. In the end, the Lady Tigers actually barely outshot the Lions 33.8 percent to 30.9 percent.

With the game tied in regulation, Kaniesha Pettaway recorded a steal with just over 20 seconds to play to give FHSU the last possession. However, a shot attempt by Kelsie Sorenson just before the buzzer was blocked to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, Erin Rice of Missouri Southern broke a tie with on a basket with five seconds remaining. Fort Hays State's deperation heave on an inbounds from midcourt after a timeout was off the mark, allowing the Lions to escape with the win.

Rice and Afton Baldwin were the majority of the offense for MSSU, with Rice scoring a game-high 25 points and Baldwin following with 18.

The Lady Tigers had three scorers in double figures, led by Kimber Weiser with 11. Kara Champlin and Traci Keyser each added 10. Kara McFarland and Pettaway each pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Fort Hays State, now 6-7 overall and 3-6 in the MIAA, returns home for its next two games. The Lady Tigers host Pittsburg State on Saturday, January 15 at 2 pm in Hays.