Fort Hays State, ranked No. 1 in the nation, looks for a good start to the 2016 portion of its schedule on Saturday (Jan. 2) when it hosts Pittsburg State. Fort Hays State enters the game at 10-1 overall, 4-1 in the MIAA, while Pittsburg State is 10-2 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA. The Gorillas are receiving votes in the latest national poll.

The match-up features two teams from the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament last year. Pittsburg State saw its season come to an end in Hays last year in the semifinals of the Central Regional against Emporia State. The Gorillas are off to another good start this year, still a very good team despite being on the outside of the top 25 looking in.

Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State split the regular season series last year. FHSU claimed the first meeting last year in Hays, 62-43, as the No. 17 ranked team in the nation over a No. 4 ranked Pittsburg State team. The Gorillas took the return meeting in Pittsburg, 65-59, as the No. 10 ranked team in the nation over then No. 2 ranked FHSU.

Saturday's game features a battle of second and third-place teams in the MIAA, both trying to keep pace with No. 16 ranked Missouri Western at 12-0 overall and 6-0 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State is coming off its first loss of the season. The Tigers fell on December 19 at Southwest Baptist by a score of 82-71. Despite the loss, FHSU remains No. 1 in the WBCA Division II Poll since December 15 since the WBCA does not release another poll until January 5. The loss snapped a 10-game win streak to open the season.

Chelsea Mason leads FHSU at 13.5 points per game, followed by Jill Faxon at 12.5 and Beth Bohuslavsky at 11.7. The Tigers lead the nation in fewest turnovers per game (8.9), but match up with the second-ranked team in that category as Pittsburg State averages just 10.6 per game. FHSU also leads the nation in turnover margin (+13.2).

Pittsburg State picked up a non-conference win earlier in the week, but fell in its last MIAA contest to Emporia State in Pittsburg.