TOPEKA, Kan. - After leading by as many as 14 early in the second half, the Fort Hays State women's basketball team was unable to hold on Wednesday evening (Dec. 6) against Washburn, falling 62-59. The Tigers had two looks to tie the score on the final possession of the game, but both 3-point attempts were off the mark. FHSU falls to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA after losing its first game of the year, while the Ichabods are now 7-1 this season and 1-0 in conference action.
 
Fort Hays State used an 8-0 run early in the third quarter to extend its lead to 41-27, the largest lead of the game for either team. With things quickly getting out of hand, the Ichabods ramped up the pressure on both ends of the floor, and it paid off in a big way. Washburn closed the third period on a 19-6 run, closing within one on Alexis McAfee's 3-pointer.
 
The Ichabods kept the momentum going into the fourth quarter, regaining the lead for the first time since early in the opening quarter on another bucket from McAfee. After making just two long-range attempts in her first 36 games as a Tiger, forward Emma Stroyan connected with two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, taking back the lead for FHSU each time.
 
After Washburn responded with a 3-pointer of its own, Carly Heim snatched the lead right back with a driving layup with 3:25 to play, 57-56. Tatyana Legette stretched the lead to three with a nifty move and layup on the ensuing possession, but the Ichabods would regain control over the final two and a half minutes. FHSU did not make a bucket in the final stretch, missing its last six shots. The 12th and final lead change went in the Ichabods' favor, with Washburn hitting a driving layup two possessions later before going 4-for-4 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the victory. The Tigers had the ball down one with less than 30 seconds to go, but a triple from Stroyan bounced off the front iron. FHSU had a chance to tie with six seconds on the clock, but Kacey Kennett's 3-pointer rimmed out and Legette's last second heave was unable to find the bottom of the net.
 
Both sides came ready to play, with the Tigers knocking down 50 percent (9-for-18) from the floor in the opening quarter and the Ichabods countering with a 46.7 percent (7-for-15) shooting effort over the first 10 minutes. The Ichabods led by as many as three early in the contest, but the Tigers hit 6-of-8 from the floor over the final five-plus minutes of the first period to take a 20-18 lead after 10 minutes of play.
 
A bitter cold blew through Lee Arena in the second quarter, as both sides saw sharp declines in shooting percentages and sharp increases in turnovers. FHSU scored just 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting (38.5 percent) in the second quarter while turning the ball over six times. To put that in perspective, the Tigers came into the game leading the country with an average of 10.1 turnovers per game. Things were worse for Washburn, who made just three field goals (3-for-14, 21.4 percent) and turned the ball over seven times. The Tigers held the Ichabods to just six points in the quarter, tied for the fewest by an opponent in a single period this season.
 
Four Tigers scored in double figures, with Heim leading the way with 14 points, three steals, three blocks and two assists. Stroyan added 12 points while Legette recorded her third double-double of the season (10 points, 10 rebounds).
 
The offensive trio of McAfee (18 points), Reagan Phelan (17 points) and Mackenzie Loe (15 points) each accounted for more points than the other seven Ichabods that played combined (12 points).
 
While the Tigers were right around their season average from the field (24-of-60, 40 percent), they managed to hit just 4-of-18 from behind the arc after averaging more than seven triples per game coming in. Fort Hays State made a season-high 16 turnovers, leading to 14 Washburn points.
 
The Tigers will look to get back on track Saturday (Dec. 6) when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Lady Hornets of Emporia State. First tip is set for 1:30 p.m. inside White Auditorium.