Box Score Fort Hays State University used a 10-0 run to start double overtime en route to a 79-69 victory over Northwest Missouri State on Saturday. 
 
The Tigers improve to 8-1 (2-1 MIAA) while NWMSU drops to 3-7 (0-3 MIAA).
 
FHSU shot just 39.7 from the field, and struggled at the line, hitting 11 of 21 free throws attempts.  FHSU's defense, however, forced 22 turnovers and limited NWMSU to a 38.4 field goal percentage.
 
Kate Lehman powered the Tigers by putting up 21 points and 17 rebounds for her sixth straight double-double.  Chelsea Mason led the team with 23 points, including five in the opening minute of double overtime, tossing in three assists in the effort. 
 
Katelyn Edwards and Nikola Kacperska each had four assists, while Edwards added 10 points and three steals.  Jill Faxon tied Edwards for the team lead in steals, with three.
 
NWMSU would jump out to a 16-8 lead at 13:45, using three three-pointers in the opening seven minutes.  Down eight, Tera Ingalsbe hit a three-pointer to spark a 13-2 run for FHSU, giving the Tigers a 21-18 lead with 4:13 left in the half.
 
After a three-pointer by NWMSU tied the game at 21-all, the teams would go scoreless for the next two minutes before a Kacperska jumper from long range found the bottom of the net.  NWMSU closed out the half on a 4-1 run, however, to leave the game tied at 25-25.
 
The teams would play relatively even in the second half until 10:17, when, with the Tigers leading 42-38, the Bearcats started an 11-0 run that gave them a seven-point advantage, 49-42 before Taylor Chandler's layup stopped the run with 7:27 to go in regulation.
 
FHSU would crawl back into the game from there, using runs of six and five unanswered before a Lehman layup and free throw gave FHSU a 55-53 lead (3:08 remaining).
 
Down 57-55 near the close of the second half, Edwards' layup with 30 seconds remaining tied the game, and a defensive stand by the Tigers sent the contest to overtime.
 
In the first overtime, NWMSU's Tember Schechinger hit a layup with 16 seconds to go, giving the Bearcats a 65-64 lead.  Beth Bohuslavsky, however, drove and drew a foul with seven seconds remaining.  The sophomore guard would hit 1-of-2 from the line, sending the game to a second overtime period.
 
Kacperska hit a three-pointer just 21 seconds into double overtime, starting a 10-0 run that sealed the win for FHSU - helped by five points from Mason. Four free throws from Bohuslavsky held the Bearcats at bay in the final minute of action.
 
The Tigers are off until Jan. 4, when they return to action in a MIAA game at Missouri Southern as part of a two-game road swing.  The second game of the trip will be Jan. 6 against Southwest Baptist.