Box Score

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team battled No. 11 Emporia State on Wednesday night (Jan. 19) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. It was the Lady Tigers first chance to face the defending NCAA II National Champions this season, and although FHSU played them tough, the Lady Hornets got the victory by a score of 67-57. 

The Lady Tigers put together a strong first half and took a 32-29 lead to the intermission, but were overcome in the second half by a monster effort from Emporia State's Alli Volkens. Volkens finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Lady Hornets.

The key moment in the game came after Fort Hays State erased a six point deficit to pull within one of the Lady Hornets at 53-52 on a layup by Crista Bechard. The next possession for Emporia State resulted in a foul on Kelsie Sorenson while she was on the floor and tangled up with Volkens. It was the sixth team foul for FHSU, but was ruled a shooting foul and Volkens made both free throws to put Emporia State up by three. 

On the ensuing possession for Fort Hays State, Bechard drove in and hit a layup while making contact with a defender. The basket was waved off, however, as Bechard was called for an offensive foul which gave possession back to Emporia State with a 55-52 lead. 

Volkens would take over from there, scoring baskets on the next two possessions to up the Lady Hornet lead to 59-52 with 4:04 to go. Volkens was also able to grab four offensive rebounds in the final five minutes of the game to put an end to any hope of a comeback by Fort Hays State. 

Bechard had a season-high 15 points and 6 rebounds to lead the way for the Lady Tigers. Kara McFarland chipped in 11 in her return to the starting lineup on 4-10 shooting, including 3-6 from 3-point range. Kara Champlin had another double digit scoring effort with 10 points, but was only able to grab 3 rebounds. 

Volkens led the way for Emporia State, but Rachel Hanf added 14 and Rheanna Egli chipped in 11 in the win. Jocelyn Cummings scored 7 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds for the Lady Hornets, who improved to 12-3 and 9-2 in the MIAA. 

Fort Hays State, who drops to 6-9 and 3-8 in the MIAA, will now head on the road once again still searching for their first victory away from Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Tigers will be in action on Saturday (Jan. 22) at Lincoln in Jefferson City, Mo.