JOPLIN, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team dropped its MIAA opener Thursday evening at Missouri Southern, losing 75-64. It was the first loss of the season for the 25th-ranked team in the country, with the Tigers dipping to 6-1 on the year. The Lions leveled their overall record at 4-4.
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The Tigers are now 6-5 all-time in MIAA openers. The Lions broke up a 5-game winning streak for FHSU in the series, the longest streak by either team all-time.
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Fort Hays State was doomed by its poor shooting, connecting on just 34.8 percent of its shots (23-of-66) after coming into the contest as the second-best shooting team in the country (52.8 percent). Missouri Southern countered with its best shooting game of the season, dropping in 52 percent from the field (26-of-50) and 50 percent from behind the arc (8-of-16).
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The Lions won the opening tip and led the game wire-to-wire after scoring 19 seconds into the matchup. MSSU opened the game on an 8-2 run and built a 14-point lead after scoring 10-straight points late in the first quarter and early in the second period. The Lions led by nine after 10 minutes of play, 21-12, the first time FHSU trailed at the end of a quarter this season.
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The Tigers scored just 12 points again in the second quarter, trailing 39-24 at the break. The Lions built their largest lead of the day in the third quarter, opening the second half on a 13-7 run to extend a 52-31 lead. 21 is also FHSU's largest deficit so far this season. Fort Hays State chipped away at the lead in the final period, outscoring the home team 26-18, but it was too little, too late.
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Madison Mittie dropped in 14 points to lead the Tigers, sinking two of the three FHSU three-pointers on the day (3-for-23).
Tatyana Legette grabbed a team-high eight rebounds to go along with seven points, one block and one steal. Desirea Buerge led all scorers with 18 points for the Lions.
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Fort Hays State will look to rebound on Saturday (Dec. 3) when they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for a date with fourth-ranked Pittsburg State. First tip is set for 1:30 p.m.
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