Box Score
The Fort Hays State women's basketball team opened up MIAA play on Wednesday evening (Nov. 30) with a 71-65 over Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. The Lady Tigers pushed their record to 7-0 on the season, matching the best start to a season in school history.

The Lady Tigers never trailed in the game and built a 28-21 advantage at intermission thanks to a strong first half from Kimber Weiser off the bench. Weiser hit 3-5 shots and 2-3 3-pointers and had nine points to help FHSU stay ahead. Lincoln made a charge on several occasions in the second half, tying the game twice but they were unable to take the lead.

Lincoln tied the game at 56-56 on a 3-pointer from Freddie Sims with 4:15 to go and Jason Gym was rocking as the Blue Tigers looked to remain unbeaten. Katelyn Edwards would take over from there, getting a bucket on the Lady Tigers next possession while being fouled and hitting the free throw to push the lead to 59-56. Following an Arriana Walker turnover for Lincoln, Edwards once again got an and-one attempt, but failed to convert on the free throw, leaving FHSU with a 61-56 advantage.

Following a Weiser steal, Edwards found Janel Durler underneath the basket for another bucket and put FHSU up 63-56 with just under three minutes to play. Fort Hays State would finish off their late game run with a pair of free throws from Traci Keyser that put them up nine with 2:16 to play.

Lincoln would mount a rally, getting baskets from Walker and Vivian Essuon and a 3-pointer from Cierra Emerson to cut the lead to just two at 65-63 with 52 seconds remaining. Fort Hays State would polish the game off from the free throw line, getting 2-4 from Kaiameka Brown, while Keyser and Edwards both knocked down a pair to give FHSU the final margin of 71-65.

Edwards led the way with a monster performance of 19 points and 15 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. She also tied with Crista Bechard by dishing out a team-high four assists. Weiser finished with 12 off the bench while Keyser chipped in 11 including 5-6 free throws.

Lincoln, who falls to 4-1 (0-1 MIAA) on the year, got a double-double of their own from Essuon who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Sims and Emerson chipped in 14 and 12, respectively for the Blue Tigers.

Fort Hays State now sets themselves up for a showdown with No. 16 Washburn next Wednesday (Dec. 7) at Gross Memorial Coliseum.