HAYS, Kan. - A dominating all-around performance from the 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team helped the Tigers defeat Missouri Valley Saturday (Dec. 1), 106-45. It is the 23rd time the program has scored 100 or more points in a game, and the first in nearly two years (118-35 vs Kansas Christian, 12/31/16). FHSU has eclipsed the century mark 11 times under head coach Tony Hobson.
 
The Tigers scored 36 points in the third quarter, matching their MIAA record for points in a single quarter (1st quarter vs UC-Colorado Springs, 11/17/17).
 
Fort Hays State rushed out to a 22-6 lead by the end of the first quarter thanks to 10 points from Kacey Kennett. The Vikings hit just one field goal in the opening 10 minutes while making 10 turnovers.
 
Kennett's sharp-shooting continued into the second quarter, where she finished 3-for-3 from the field, 2-for-2 from behind the arc and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. The junior finished the first half with a new career-high of 21 points (7-of-9), including a perfect 4-for-4 effort from behind the arc. Fort Hays State closed the half on a 9-2 run to take a 53-21 lead into the locker room.
 
After shooting nearly 46 percent from the floor in the first half (17-for-37), things were already clicking for the Tigers. But Fort Hays State took things up a notch after the break to match their record for points in a quarter. The Black and Gold finished a blazing 12-for-17 from the floor, including a lights-out 5-for-7 from behind the arc in the third quarter. Hailey Walker poured in 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions midway through the frame, helping the Tigers stretch the lead out to 50, 75-25.
 
Walker and Lanie Page both finished 2-for-2 from deep in the quarter, with the freshman totaling 10 points and eight for Page. While Walker and Page were lighting it up from behind the arc, Belle Barbieri took care of things in the paint. The junior scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in the frame, finishing 3-for-3 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the line.
 
With the game out of reach, the Tiger reserves saw plenty of action in the fourth quarter. Cydney Bergmann and Robin Ritsema scored five points each down the stretch, while Kinly Grubb scored her first two points in a Tiger uniform. A free throw from Ritsema gave the Tigers a 67-point lead, 105-38, their largest lead in a game since 2016 (83, 118-35 vs KCC, 12/31/16).
 
Kennett hit another triple in the third quarter to finish with a career-best 24 points while grabbing six rebounds and making three steals. It's the third time in her career she had drilled five 3-pointers. Page added 17 points while Barbieri scored 14 and 12 for Walker. Barbieri grabbed a game-high seven rebounds while Tatyana Legette made a season-high four steals. Taylor Rolfs dished out a season-best four assists.
 
The Tigers finished the game shooting 47.9 from the floor (34-of-71), including an 11-for-27 effort from behind the 3-point line (40.7 percent). It's the second time FHSU has drilled 10 or more 3-pointers in a game this season. The defense forced 27 Viking turnovers, one off of the season high set last weekend against Chadron State (28 turnovers). The Tigers turned those miscues into 36 points off turnovers.
 
Fort Hays State dominated on the boards, outrebounding Missouri Valley 50-22, including a 17-1 edge in offensive rebounds leading to 26 second-chance points.
 
The Tigers are now 6-0 as they head into MIAA play next week. Nebraska-Kearney will travel to Gross Memorial Coliseum to open league competition Tuesday (Dec. 4) at 5:30 p.m.