HAYS, Kan. - A big comeback came up one point short for the Fort Hays State women's basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 14), with the Tigers falling to No. 19 Nebraska-Kearney, 53-52. A potential game-winning jumper from the free-throw line rattled out in the waning seconds for the Tigers (13-6, 8-3 MIAA), allowing the Lopers (16-3, 9-2 MIAA) to escape with their third-straight road win in Hays.
 
Fort Hays State struggled out of the gate, scoring a season-low seven points in the first quarter on 3-of-11 shooting. The Tigers trailed by as many as 13 early in the second quarter before Clary Donica helped FHSU bounce back and keep things close.
 
The graduate transfer knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the period, scoring 10 points to help the Tigers close within two, 25-23. UNK scored five of the final six points of the first half to lead by six at the break, 32-26.
 
Nebraska-Kearney opened the second half on a 12-6 run, building its lead back to 12 points before the Tigers went on a furious rally.
 
A Jessie Sallach fadeaway jumper at the 4:53 mark in the third quarter sparked an 18-2 run over next 11 minutes, helping the Tigers storm in front by four. FHSU hit 50 percent from the floor over the stretch while limiting the Lopers to 1-of-11 shooting and five turnovers.
 
The Tigers held Nebraska-Kearney scoreless for nearly six minutes to start the fourth quarter, scoring the first 11 points of the frame to take their first lead of the day. Katie Wagner converted a traditional 3-point play to close within four before Donica made it a one-possession game on the next possession with a layup. Sydney Golladay later tied things up with a layup before Emma Ruddle gave the Tigers their first lead at 5:43 in the fourth quarter with a jumper.
 
The Lopers bounced back over the final four minutes, scoring five in a row to regain a one-point advantage with 2:15 to play. After a pair of empty possessions by both teams, Fort Hays State went back on top, 52-51, with 32 seconds to go after a stick-back layup from Olivia Hollenbeck.
 
Sarah Schmitt answered with a driving layup on the other end with eight seconds to play, giving the Nebraska-Omaha transfer a game-high 18 points and putting the Lopers in front by one. The Tigers called a timeout to advance the ball and draw up a play, but Wagner's pull-up jumper from the free-throw line rattled in and out to give the Lopers the victory.
 
It was the first time the Tigers lost back-to-back home games in the same season in 12 years.
 
The Tigers finished the game shooting 35.1 percent from the floor (20-of-57), including 30.4 percent from inside the arc (14-of-46) and 54.5 percent from 3-point range (6-of-11). Neither side was able to convert at the free-throw line, with FHSU hitting 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) and UNK knocking down just 4-of-12 (33.3 percent). The Lopers outrebounded the Tigers, 40-30.
 
The Tiger defense forced the Lopers into a season-high 17 turnovers, with FHSU scoring 15 points off those Loper miscues. The Tigers turned the ball over just 10 times on the day after racking up five turnovers in the first quarter.
 
Donica led the Tigers with 12 points, while Wagner added 11 points and six rebounds. Hollenbeck grabbed a team-high nine rebounds alongside eight points.
 
The Tigers will hit the road next week to battle Washburn in Topeka, Kan. on Wednesday (Jan. 18, 5:30 p.m.) before traveling to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Hornets on Sunday (Jan. 22, 1:30 p.m.)