The Fort Hays State women's basketball team returns to Gross Memorial Coliseum after a 10-day break on Saturday (Dec. 30) when they host Bethany College for its final non-conference game of the regular season. First tip is set for 2 p.m.

The Tigers enter the matchup 10-2 on the year after winning their last three contests, while the Swedes head into the weekend 8-7 on the year. The Tigers are 17-3 against Bethany all-time, including a 3-0 mark under head coach Tony Hobson. The teams last played in 2012, when Fort Hays State ran away with an 82-37 victory (11/13/12).

The defensive effort put on by Fort Hays State has been nothing short of spectacular, ranking ninth in NCAA Division II in scoring defense after allowing just 53.4 points per contest. Tiger opponents have posted a 33.8 percent effort from the floor so far this season, 13th-lowest in the country.

Junior Tatyana Legette's effective shooting has propelled her to lead the team in scoring this year, averaging 14.2 points per game on an astounding 60.2 percent shooting. That percentage is fourth-best in the conference and ranks 18th nationally. Three other Tigers chip in an average of 10 or more points each night on the offensive end, with a total of seven players averaging five or more points per game.

Bethany College has not played in more than two weeks, losing its last time out against Oklahoma Wesleyan at home, 64-56 (Dec. 12). The Swedes are 3-2 in road games so far this season. They average 66.8 points per game behind 36.3 percent shooting from the field. Lauren Welsch and Marissa Pope are the leaders on the offensive end, averaging 11.6 and 11.1 points per game, respectively. Sydney Ahaneku leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per night while swatting nearly two shots each contest.