HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team bounced back from a slow start with a dominating second quarter en route to a 66-47 victory over Washburn Saturday afternoon (Feb. 3) at home. The Tigers limited WU to just three points and one field goal in the second quarter, their fewest allowed in a period this season.

Fort Hays State is now 18-4 on the year and 9-4 in the MIAA after its sixth-straight victory, while the Ichabods fall to 14-8 overall and 6-7 in league action. The Tigers are now in sole possession of fourth place in the MIAA standings, just one game back of second place.

The win was FHSU's fifth-straight home win against Washburn.
  
Washburn came out of the gate on fire, knocking down five of its first seven shots to quickly jump in front by five, 12-7. The Ichabods later went up by as many as six when they drilled their third 3-pointer of the first quarter, but the Tigers bounced back to score nine points in a row to take back the lead late in the period.
 
Taylor Rolfs drilled a 3-pointer to put FHSU within one possession before Emma Stroyan made a pair of layups in a span of 17 seconds to take back the lead for good. Washburn then knocked down a jumper as time expired in the opening quarter to close within one, 18-17.
 
The second quarter was all FHSU, with the Tigers outscoring Washburn 20-3 in the period. The home team knocked down 52.9 percent of its shots in the quarter (9-of-17) while holding the Ichabods to just 1-of-13 shooting (7.7 percent). Tony Hobson's squad created six turnovers, turning those miscues into nine points off turnovers.
 
Fort Hays State scored the first 14 points in the second frame, all of a sudden leading by 15, 32-17. Stroyan scored seven-straight points to open the run, hitting a layup to open the scoring in the period before pouring in a 3-pointer on the next possession. The forward then hit a mid-range jumper less than a minute later, giving her 11-straight points for the Tigers after scoring the last four in the first quarter.
 
The Tigers stretched the lead to double figures at the 5:03 mark when Tatyana Legette found Belle Barbieri with a perfect pass, giving the sophomore an easy layup. Whitney Clampitt scored the next five points to build the lead to 15, hitting a 3-pointer before making a nice drive to the bucket for a layup.
 
FHSU went into the break in front by 18, 38-20, after Legette dropped in a layup with less than a minute left. It was the fewest points the Ichabods have scored in the first half this season.
 
Washburn continued to struggle to find its stroke in the second half, knocking down just 10-of-29 shots and just one 3-pointer. The Tigers built the lead up to 28 points, 58-30, thanks to a 13-0 run spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth frame.
 
The Ichabods tried to mount a late comeback, scoring 13 of the next 15 points, but 3-pointers from Carly Heim on back-to-back possessions thwarted the rally. The junior drilled a long-range effort from the top of the key before raining in a triple as the shot clock expired less than a minute later.
 
The Tigers finished the afternoon 25-for-64 from the field (39.1 percent), making just eight turnovers on offense. Washburn knocked down 30.5 percent of its shots (18-of-59) while making 13 turnovers.
 
Heim led the team with 20 points, knocking down a trio of 3-pointers while adding four assists. Emma Stroyan added 15 points, blocking one shot. Rolfs contributed 13 points and six rebounds, draining three shots from behind the arc. Barbieri led the team with nine rebounds.
 
The Tigers will look to match their season-long winning streak on Thursday (Feb. 8) when they travel to Tahlequah, Okla. to take on Northeastern State. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m.