KEARNEY, Neb. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team fell 64-48 at No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25) on the final day of the regular season. The Tigers turned the ball over just three times, their fewest in a game since 2019 (11/25/19 vs St. Mary) and the fewest against a Division II opponent since 2016 (2/25/16 at Northeastern State), but a 53-26 rebound margin helped the Lopers pick up the win.
 
The Tigers (19-11, 14-8 MIAA) kept things close in the first half, trailing 29-25 at halftime. Nebraska-Kearney (27-3, 20-2 MIAA) connected on five 3-pointers in the first half before finishing the game with 11 makes from behind the arc.
 
A 3-pointer from Ellie Stearns early in the third quarter brought the Tigers back within four, 34-30, before UNK finished the frame on a 22-8 run to build a 16-point lead. FHSU closed within 11 twice in the fourth quarter, but the Lopers responded each time to keep the lead in double figures.
 
Olivia Hollenbeck led the Tigers with 13 points and five rebounds, with Katie Wagner adding 12 points.
 
The Tigers wrapped up the regular season as the sixth seed in the MIAA and as a result will play third-seeded Missouri Western in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Championship Tournament presented by Southern Bank. The Tigers and Griffons will open the postseason on Friday (March 3) at 8:15 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Mo.