No. 3 Fort Hays State gears up for its second Top 10 matchup in 11 days, hosting No. 6 Emporia State this Saturday, Feb. 7. The game, set for 2 p.m., is a rematch of MIAA rivals that saw FHSU take the first round, 65-55, in Emporia earlier this season. At the time, FHSU was ranked sixth and ESU was second nationally.
The Tigers (21-1, 13-0 MIAA) hold a two-game lead over ESU in the conference standings, and with six games to go in the regular season, has locked up a berth to the MIAA Tournament. A first-round bye and possible seeding for the NCAA Central Region is on the horizon as well. FHSU and the Lady Hornets are both among seven teams in the Central Region (MIAA, NSIC and GAC) with three or fewer losses as the fourth month of the season begins.
Last time out, Fort Hays State took down rival Nebraska-Kearney, 69-52, to remain unbeaten at home this season (14-0) and stretch its current win streak to 20 games, which ties the program's longest single-season streak (set in 1990-91). The longest overall win streak in FHSU history is 23, stretching between the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. Additionally, the Tigers are now just two wins from tying the school's NCAA Division II wins record (23), set in the 1994-95 season.
In the previous matchup between the team's this season, FHSU roared out to a 19-point lead in the game's opening 13 minutes, taking a 35-21 lead into half. From there, ESU answered to climb within seven midway through the second half, but the Tigers rebounded and hung on for the 10-point victory.
Kate Lehman led the Tigers with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the game, while
Chelsea Mason (14 points) and
Jill Faxon (12 points) each found double-digits, hitting key three-pointers down the stretch.
ESU (18-2, 11-2 MIAA) played without top rebounder Amber Vandiver (7.3 rebounds, 7.8 points per game) in the previous matchup, but will have her in the lineup for Saturday's game. Vandiver is just ahead of Merissa Quick on the rebounding list, as Quick ranks second in rebounds (7.0) and points (11.1) per game. Joining Quick in double-digit scoring on average is Kelly Moten (14.8 points per game) and Addie Lackey (11.1 points per game).
This is the first ever WBCA Top 10 matchup at Gross Coliseum for Fort Hays State Women's Basketball.
FHSU Students get into Saturday's (and all games) for free with their FHSU Student ID, while free tickets are be available for FHSU Faculty/Staff, though tickets will need to be picked up at the FHSU Athletic Office (Cunningham Hall, Room 138) by 4:30 p.m., on Friday (Feb. 6).
