HAYS, Kan. – Throughout 40 minutes of play, the Fort Hays State women's basketball team maintained the lead to earn their fifth win of the season at 76-60 over Missouri Southern on Thursday night (Nov. 30). The victory starts the Tigers at 1-0 in MIAA play while boasting a 6-0 overall record. With the loss, Missouri Southern enters conference play at 0-1 alongside a 1-6 mark this season.
 
Eight Tigers contributed to the score for Fort Hays State, led by Carly Heim with a team-high 19 points. Tatyana Leggette completed a balanced performance with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six steals while dishing out four assists to her fellow Tigers. Taylor Rolfs added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Kacey Kennett also contributed in double-digits with 17 points.
 
As a team, Fort Hays State bettered Missouri Southern with its 40.9% shooting from the field compared to the Lions' 29.8%. Missouri Southern, however, did earn the advantage from long-range, hitting 9-of-21 – good for 42.9%. The Tigers connected on only five three-pointers in the contest, shooting just 25% from beyond the arc. On the boards, FHSU brought down 46 over the 39 for the Missouri Southern.
  
With the first bucket of the night coming off a lay-up from Emma Stroyan, the Tigers would never let up the lead, or even see a tie with the Lions. FHSU drew its largest first half lead to 17 points late in the second quarter. The Tigers would maintain the lead into halftime at 42-27. The largest advantage in the contest came with three minutes remaining in the third quarter as FHSU stretched it out to 20 at 55-35. Fort Hays State would seemingly coast for the remainder of the contest, never letting the lead draw lower than 10 points to the Lions.
 
FHSU utilized their stifling defense to force 21 turnovers for Missouri Southern, which contributed to 26 points for the Tigers. Fort Hays State broke away for 14 points off fast breaks, compared to just two points for the Tigers in the same category. FHSU dominated in the paint as well, earning 34 points down low.
 
The Tigers will put their undefeated mark on the line as they host No. 19 Pittsburg State at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 2). The Gorillas bring also bring in a 6-0 record, meaning one of the two undefeated programs will suffer their first loss of the 2016-17 season.