Box Score
The Fort Hays State women's basketball team was handed their first loss of the 2011-12 season on Wednesday night (Dec. 7) by the No. 15 Washburn Lady Blues. Washburn shot 47.3% from the floor and outrebounded the Lady Tigers by 18 and dropped FHSU to 7-1 on the year and 1-1 in MIAA play.
The first half was played very quickly, with both teams staying within five points of each other including four ties and three lead changes. Fort Hays State took an early five point lead at 11-6 on a 3-pointer from
Kelsie Sorenson, but Washburn quickly came back and took a lead of their own with a 9-0 run that put them up 23-18 with just over five minutes to go in the half. Fort Hays State mounted a 6-0 rally to finish the half and took a 27-25 lead to the break.
The teams traded baskets early in the second half and were tied three different times. Washburn used a quick 5-0 run to take a 36-31 lead that they would sustain the rest of the way. Fort Hays State was able to cut the lead to two or three on several occasions, but were unable to get the game tied or take the lead again. Washburn took their biggest lead of the night on a 3-pointer from Laura Kinderknecht with 3:49 to play that made the score 56-47. The final Lady Tiger rally could only get them within five as Washburn hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes and held on for the 67-60 victory.
Fort Hays State, who suffers their first loss and falls to 7-1 (1-1 MIAA) on the year, was led by 12 points from
Crista Bechard and 10 points and seven rebounds from
Katelyn Edwards.
Traci Keyser added nine after hitting 6-of-8 free throws.
Kaiameka Brown added a team-high three assists while Edwards had three steals and
Janel Durler blocked three Lady Blue shots.
Washburn, who moves to 9-2 (2-0 MIAA) on the season, had four players in double digits, including Stevi Schultz (12), Kinderknecht (11), Dana Elliot (11) and Ebonie Williams (10). Schultz also pulled down 13 rebounds to complete the double-double.
Fort Hays State will look to rebound from the loss on Saturday (Dec. 10) when they host Missouri Western in a game starting at 2:00 pm.
