Box Score

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team picked up its first road win of the season on Saturday (Jan. 22) at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. The Lady Tigers needed overtime to defeat the Blue Tigers by a score of 64-60. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak on the road, dating back to last season. 

After jumping out to a 15-0 lead, the Lady Tigers (7-9 overall, 4-8 MIAA) saw their big lead dwindle away throughout the contest. Fort Hays State led 29-18 at halftime. Lincoln (1-15, 0-12 MIAA) kept chipping away throughout the second half, and eventually tied the game with 1:25 remaining in regulation. A pair of Traci Keyser free-throws put the Lady Tigers back in front, but Lincoln put in a layup with the shot clock winding down with 25 seconds remaining. The Lady Tigers had two shots blocked at the end of regulation, which forced overtime.

Crista Bechard scored the first five points for FHSU in overtime, which built a three-point lead with two minutes remaining. Kelsie Sorenson hit one of two free-throws to put FHSU four with 28 seconds remaining before Lincoln hit its last basket to cut the lead back to two. Rhys Pihl iced the win for FHSU with a pair of free-throws with six seconds remaining.

Bechard finished with a career-high 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, which included a 4-of-9 effort beyond the 3-point line and she made one free-throw. Kara McFarland had the hot hand early for FHSU and finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting with two 3-point field goals. Keyser was the only other Lady Tiger to reach double figures in scoring with 10.

Vivian Essuon led Lincoln with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Cherakie Barrett also had a double-double for the Blue Tigers with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Lincoln outshot FHSU in field goal percentage .426 to .355, thanks to a red-hot second half.

The Lady Tigers try to make it two road wins in a row when they play at Nebraska-Omaha on Wednesday (Jan. 26) at 5:30 pm. FHSU defeated UNO earlier this year 76-70 in Hays.