The Fort Hays State women's basketball team heads to Missouri for a pair of contests this week, opening with a Thursday evening (Jan. 25) tilt with Lincoln University. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m. from Jason Gym in Jefferson City, Mo.
 
Riding a two-game winning streak, the Tigers head into the week 14-4 this season and 5-4 in conference play. The Blue Tigers have opened the year 3-15 overall and 0-10 in the MIAA, losing 11 straight contests. LU is 2-5 at home this season, while the Black and Gold are 3-3 in true road games.
 
Fort Hays State has had its way against Lincoln in the past, winning all but one of the 11 meetings all-time (10-1), including a perfect 4-0 record in Jefferson City. The lone LU victory in the series was a one-point overtime victory in Hays in 2012. The Tigers have won seven straight against Lincoln, their longest active winning streak against an MIAA program. All meetings in the series have come under the guidance of head coach Tony Hobson. FHSU won the lone meeting last year, defeating the Blue Tigers at home, 81-68 (1/26/17).
 
Tatyana Legette has used efficient shooting to lead the Tigers on offense, ranking seventh in all Division II with a shooting percentage of 61.8 percent and pacing the squad with 13.9 points each night. She is one of three Tigers scoring in double figures each night, joined by Kacey Kennett (12.2) and Carly Heim (10.1), who is coming off her first career double-double Saturday. Emma Stroyan had a strong week, averaging 13.5 points over the last two games.
 
Four Tigers are averaging more than 11 points in road games this season, including Legette (13.2 ppg), Heim (11.2 ppg), Kennett (11.0 ppg) and Taylor Rolfs (11.0 ppg).
 
Lincoln is looking for its first victory in nearly two months (11/27/17, Upper Iowa, 67-59). The Blue Tigers rank 14th in the league in scoring, putting up 56 points per contest, while allowing 70.7 points each night. Lincoln is quite proficient on the offensive glass, grabbing 13.9 offensive rebounds per game to rank third in the conference. Citlali Lopez paces the team with 11.5 points and 2.8 assists per game, ranking 10th in the conference in assists. Bre Coleman grabs seven rebounds each outing, 13th-most in the MIAA. Second-year head coach Ayana McWilliams, who has led the Blue Tigers to an 8-36 record since the beginning of last season, leads the Blue Tigers.