The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to avenge last year's lone home loss Saturday (Jan. 27) when they travel to take on Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. First tip is set for 1:30 p.m. from Hyland Arena.
 
Winners of three straight, the Tigers head into the weekend 15-4 overall and 6-4 in MIAA play. The Lions (10-10, 2-9 MIAA) have struggled of late, winning just one game since the calendar turned to 2018 including six-straight defeats.
 
The Lions defeated Fort Hays State for the first time ever last season in Hays (1/28/17), 76-70. The loss ended a 44-game regular season home winning streak for the Tigers, dating back to the 2013-14 season.
 
Fort Hays State is right in the thick of a wide open race for a bye in the MIAA Tournament, with seven teams separated by just one loss in a fight for second place. No. 7 Central Missouri has yet to lose in conference action, stretching out a three-game lead over everyone else in the league. Four other teams have just three losses in conference play, while FHSU is one of three teams with four defeats in MIAA action. The top four teams in the conference earn a bye in the championship tournament, automatically earning a spot in the quarterfinals in Kansas City, Mo.
 
The Tigers are 5-1 all-time against Lindenwood, winning each of the first five contests in the series before coming up short last year. FHSU has never lost inside Hyland Arena, coming away with three victories in all three trips to the St. Louis suburb.
 
Fort Hays State's defense is right up there with the best in the country, ranking ninth in NCAA Division II with just 54.1 points allowed per contest (1st MIAA). Tiger opponents have posted a 34.7 percent effort from the floor so far this season, 17th-lowest nationally (2nd MIAA).
 
Lindenwood boasts one of the most potent offenses in the country, averaging an MIAA-high 78.7 points per game to rank 19th in Division II. The Lions also lead the league and rank eighth nationally in rebounding margin, out-rebounding their opponents by 10.1 boards per contest. LU makes its money in the paint, taking high-percentage shots to shoot 46.3 percent from the floor this season. Reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year Kallie Bildner is the go-to threat for Lindenwood, averaging a double-double with 19.2 points (3rd MIAA) and 12.7 rebounds (1st MIAA) each night. Lindsay Medlen orchestrates the offense, dishing out nearly four assists per game.