HAYS, Kan. - A strong defensive effort helped the Fort Hays State women's basketball team cruise past Missouri Western on Thursday (Jan. 18), 58-36. It was the lowest offensive output for the Griffons since they joined NCAA Division II in 1988 (previous low - 37 vs Michigan Tech, 11/20/09).
 
The Tigers jump to 13-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play after the victory, while MWSU falls to 10-8 on the year and 3-6 in the league.
 
Fort Hays State poured in 50 percent of its shots in the win while holding the Griffons to a 23.4 percent effort from the floor, their lowest outing of the season. Missouri Western started the game with just seven players due to injury and finished the game with only one player on the bench after an early injury to starter Jessica Davies.
 
The Griffons quickly answered after Lanie Page drilled a 3-pointer in the first minute of the game, but the transfer hit a jumper on the next possession to give the Tigers the lead for good. Missouri Western did not score for the final seven minutes, 22 seconds of the opening quarter after it added another 3-pointer two minutes later. In fact, the Tiger defense held the Griffons without a field goal for more than 10 minutes of game play, not allowing another bucket until three minutes into the second period. FHSU went on a 9-0 run thanks to a pair of nice passes from Page to Emma Stroyan and Tatyana Legette, taking a 16-6 lead at the end of the first period.
 
Missouri Western broke up the Tiger run with a free throw early in the second quarter, but the Tigers answered back with another triple from Page followed by a layup from Legette, padding the lead to 14. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the half, with Whitney Randall knocking down a late jumper to put the Tigers in front by 12 at halftime, 28-16.
 
The visitors momentarily clawed within single digits after they opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but Stroyan responded with a deep ball of her own to put the Tigers in front by double figures for good. The lone senior on the squad took over in the second half, scoring nine of her team-high 14 points in the second half, knocking down 4-of-5 from the field after the break.
 
Legette poured in a 3-pointer for the second-straight game midway through the final period, giving Fort Hays State its largest lead of the afternoon, 53-30.
 
The Tiger defense prevented Missouri Western from getting in a rhythm all evening, closing passing lanes to create errant passes, forcing bad shots and not allowing second chance points. The Griffons grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, but turned those second chances into just three points.
 
Fort Hays State created 18 Griffon turnovers, making just as many steals (11) as Missouri Western made field goals. Page was one of seven Tigers to record a steal in the victory, leading the team with three steals, her most in a game since joining the Tigers five games ago.
 
Legette joined Stroyan in double figures in scoring, dropping in 13 points while leading the way with eight rebounds. Belle Barbieri grabbed seven rebounds and chipped in five points, one block and one steal in just 16 minutes off the bench.
 
Just one Griffon eclipsed 10 points on the night, led by Melia Richardson's 13 points.
 
The Tigers will return to action Saturday (Jan. 20) when they host Northwest Missouri State. First tip is set for 2 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.