The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to avenge last week's 2-point road loss against Central Oklahoma when the Bronchos travel to Hays on Saturday (Feb. 17). The opening tip is set for 2 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
Both teams head into the penultimate weekend in the regular season with identical 20-5 overall records and an 11-5 mark in conference play. The Tigers and Bronchos are tied with Nebraska-Kearney for third in the MIAA standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will receive a bye through the first round of the MIAA Tournament. Both teams have, at the very least, locked up a home game in the opening round.
 
Fort Hays State is 8-4 against UCO all-time, including a perfect 6-0 record at home. Tony Hobson led the Tigers to victory in his first six games against UCO, compiling a 7-3 record against the Bronchos. FHSU is 5-0 in Hays under Hobson. The home team has won each of the last five games and 10 of the 12 games in the series.
 
The Tigers now have six individuals averaging at least nine points per game, two more than any other MIAA team. Lanie Page led the team with 19 points in Thursday's win against Northeastern State after scoring 17 in last week's loss. Tatyana Legette scored a team-high 18 points against UCO last week before posting a double-double against the RiverHawks (12 points, 11 rebounds), her fifth double-double this season.
 
Central Oklahoma is on a 3-game winning streak after dropping 3-of-4 contests. The Bronchos reached as high as 15th in the WBCA Coaches Poll earlier this season, but they are currently unranked. The Bronchos are just 6-4 on the road this year. They limit opponents to a 34.4 percent effort from the floor, best in the conference. UCO ranks second in the conference with a free throw percentage of 79.5 percent. They clean up the glass very well, grabbing a league-high 42.6 rebounds per game.
 
After earning first team All-MIAA honors last year, Melinda Murillo leads the offensive effort again this season, averaging 16.5 points and 3.4 assists per contest. Senior forward Jesheon Cooper is a commanding presence in the paint, ranking second in the league with 10.6 rebounds while leading the league and ranking 12th in the country with 2.9 blocks each game.