Fort Hays State opens MIAA Tournament play on Thursday (Mar. 3) where it meets Missouri Southern in the quarterfinals. The Tigers, ranked No. 12 in the latest WBCA Division II Poll, are the No. 3 seed in the tournament and the Lions are the No. 6 seed. Game time is set for 12 pm at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

The Tigers received a bye to the quarterfinals in the tournament, tying for second place with Pittsburg State in the regular season standings. Missouri Southern is coming off an opening round win over No. 11 seed Northeastern State in Joplin, Mo., on Monday night to reach the quarterfinal game. Fort Hays State defeated Missouri Southern twice in the regular season, a 68-60 win in Hays and a 68-62 win in Joplin.

Fort Hays State reached the finals last year as the No. 1 seed in the tournament. It was the deepest run in the MIAA Tournament for the Tigers since they joined the conference in 2006-07. The top four seeds in the tournament are all nationally ranked teams, which includes Missouri Western (No. 7), Fort Hays State (No. 12), Pittsburg State (No. 16), and Emporia State (No. 20). All four are among among the top five teams in the NCAA Central Region rankings.

Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, and Missouri Western could all be in the running for hosting the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Winona State lost in the NSIC Tournament semifinals earlier this week, so it may come down to which of the three MIAA teams has the most success at the MIAA Tournament in determining the regional host. A new set of regional rankings will come out on Wednesday afternoon.

Below is the remaining schedule for the MIAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

Thursday, March 3, 2016 (Municipal Auditorium Kansas City, Mo.)
Game 5: #3 Fort Hays State vs. #6 Missouri Southern        12 p.m.        
Game 6: #2 Pittsburg State vs. #10 Central Missouri           2:15 p.m.   
Game 7: #1 Missouri Western vs. #8 Nebraska-Kearney     6 p.m.      
Game 8: #4 Emporia State vs. #5 Central Oklahoma           8:15 p.m.  

Saturday, March 5, 2016 (Municipal Auditorium Kansas City, Mo.)
Game 9: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6                     12 p.m.           
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 8                   2:15 p.m.      

Sunday, March 6, 2016 (Municipal Auditorium Kansas City, Mo.)
Game 11: MIAA Championship game                             1:00 p.m.   

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS DURING MIAA TOURNAMENT

Tigers of all ages are invited to share in the fun as we rally the Tiger basketball teams to victory in the 2016 MIAA Basketball Tournament! The Tiger Pep Band, Cheerleaders and Tiger Debs will be on hand to help you get in the Tiger Spirit.

Parties will be scheduled pending advancement in tournament play. All parties will be held at Johnny's Tavern, 1310 Grand Blvd and games will be held at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W 13th St, both in Kansas City, Mo. Cash bar/menu available at Johnny's. Enjoy a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, pizzas and so much more...there's something for every appetite, including Lenten options on Friday.

Games & Party Schedule

Thursday, March 3
Quarterfinal Women's Game:  12 p.m.
Postgame Party:  3-6 p.m.

Friday, March 4
Pregame Party:  4-7:15 p.m.
Quarterfinal Men's Game:  8:15 p.m.

Saturday, March 5
Women's Pregame Party:  9-11 a.m.*
Women's Semifinal Game:  12 p.m.

Men's Pregame Party: 4:30-7:15 p.m.*
Men's Semifinal Game:  8:15 p.m.

Sunday, March 6
Pregame Party:  10 a.m.-12 p.m.*
Women's Championship Game:  1 p.m.
Men's Championship Game:  3:30 p.m.

*Pregame parties on Saturday and Sunday are contingent upon the Tigers advancing in tournament play.