Box Score

The Fort Hays State women's basketball team used a late spurt on Wednesday night (Jan. 5) to down Central Missouri 70-58 and snap a four-game losing streak. The Lady Tigers ended the game on an 18-3 run which featured 3-point baskets from Rhys Pihl, Talia Miller, and Crista Bechard.

After trading baskets in the early going, FHSU pulled ahead and held the lead for most of the first half thanks in large part to 10 early points from Pihl. After taking a 36-28 lead to the break, the Lady Tigers started fast in the second half and took a lead of 46-32 with 17:01 to play on a 3-point basket by Traci Keyser.

Central Missouri quickly chipped away at that Tiger lead and took their biggest lead of the night at 55-52 on a pair of free throws by Erin Redmond with 6:28 to play. Pihl then hit her third 3-pointer of the night to tie the game at 55 and the Lady Tigers would not trail again. Central Missouri closed to within one at 59-58, but a Kara Champlin bucket put FHSU back up by three.

After Miller blocked a 3-point attempt by Kiersten Orton, she rimmed in a 3-pointer of her own as the shot clock was expiring to put the Tigers up six 64-58 and on their way to victory. Bechard added yet another 3-pointer the next possession and Keyser hit two free throws to provide the final margin.

Fort Hays State, who improved to 6-5, 3-4 in the MIAA, was led by 15 points a piece from Pihl and Champlin. Champlin also added a team-high eight rebounds. Miller and Keyser both added nine points. Keyser saw her consecutive free throw streak snapped at 30 after missing her second attempt in the first half. She was just six shots shy of tying the MIAA conference record of 36 held by Nikki Olberding of Washburn.

Central Missouri moves to 6-7, 2-5 in the MIAA and had just one player, Saraethea Brown reach double figures with 12. The Jennies shot a better field goal percentage than did the Lady Tigers, but turned the ball over 16 times as opposed to just 9 by FHSU.

Fort Hays State will now take a weekend road trip to Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Jan. 8) and Missouri Southern on Monday (Jan. 10).