The Fort Hays State women's basketball opens the 2012-13 campaign on Saturday (Nov. 10) with a non-conference tilt with McPherson College at 2:30 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. It's the first game of a doubleheader with the men's game starting following the women's contest.
Fort Hays State and McPherson have played 10 times before Saturday's game with the Tigers leading the series 7-3. FHSU has a seven-game winning streak against the Bulldogs that dates back to the 1971-72 season. McPherson went 3-0 against FHSU from 1969-71. The two teams last met during the 2007-08 season with the Tigers winning 73-45 on Dec. 3, 2007 at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers led 35-26 at halftime and then doubled up the Bulldogs in the second half, 38-19. Four Tigers scored in double figures.
McPherson College has started the 2012-13 season 0-3 with losses to two NAIA top 25 teams. The Bulldogs fell to No. 1 Concordia, 102-54, and No. 18 Hastings College, 54-43. McPherson College finished the 2011-12 season with a record of 14-15, and the Bulldogs return the KCAC Freshman of the Year, Brittany Pittas. Pittas is averaging 21.3 ppg this season, which includes a 32-point outburst against Haskell Indian Nations University.
Since joining NCAA Division II for the 1991-92 season, the Tigers are 17-4 in home openers and FHSU has won eight straight. Last season, the Tigers defeated Tabor College, 93-34, to open their home schedule. In the 2011-12 season, FHSU went 12-3 at 12-3 at Gross Memorial Coliseum, including a 5-0 record in non-conference home games. Under
Tony Hobson, FHSU is 41-17 in home games and 21-6 against non-conference opponents.
Fort Hays State starts the season with two games against NAIA opponents. The Tigers were 5-0 against NAIA teams a year ago, defeating Tabor College, Central Christian, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Bethel College and Doane College. Northwestern Oklahoma State is on the schedule again, but the Rangers are in transition to NCAA Division II this season.
Tony Hobson is 13-2 in his tenure against members of the NAIA with the two losses coming early in this first season of 2008-09. The Tigers have won 11 straight against NAIA teams, the last loss being a 74-68 defeat at the hands of Kansas Wesleyan on Nov. 2008 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers return four of the five starters from a season ago, including two All-MIAA performers from 2011-12.
Katelyn Edwards, who was Second Team All-MIAA, led Fort Hays State in both scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg) and ranked among the MIAA leaders in both categories. Edwards recorded a team-high nine double-doubles and scored 10 or more points in 25 of 28 games last season.
Kate Lehman, who earned Third Team All-MIAA, blocked a single season record and NCAA Division II-leading 93 shots. Lehman's average of 3.3 blocks per game ranked her second in the country and was more than six other MIAA teams averaged. She recorded eight double-doubles last season with all of them coming in the last 15 games. She was also named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team.
The Tigers continue their four-game homestand on Tuesday (Nov. 13) with a 5:30 p.m. tilt with Bethany College at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
