HAYS, Kan. - The 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team knocked down nine 3-pointers in a 74-62 victory over Lincoln Saturday afternoon (Jan. 6). It was the most made 3-pointers by the Tigers at home in more than one year (nine vs. Newman, 12/18/22).
 
With the win and other results from around the conference, the Tigers (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) move back into a tie for first place in the MIAA standings.
 
Fort Hays State jumped out to a quick start, hitting more than 50 percent from the floor in the opening quarter (8-of-15) to build an eight-point lead. The Tigers went to Olivia Hollenbeck early and often, with the junior forward scoring eight points on 4-for-4 shooting in the first frame.
 
The Tigers led by as many as 11 early in the second quarter before Lincoln (5-8, 1-6 MIAA) grabbed all the momentum with a 15-0 run, the longest run given up by FHSU this season. Jessie Sallach broke up the stretch with a 3-pointer, ending a scoring drought of 6:39 and making the halftime score 26-25 in favor of the Blue Tigers.
 
Sallach's triple kickstarted a 13-point FHSU run, with Sydney Golladay and Ellie Stearns matching her effort with 3-pointers of their own. The Tigers bounced back from their poor shooting second quarter, hitting 50 percent from the floor in the third (8-of-16) and 75 percent in the final stanza (6-of-8).
 
Fort Hays State led the rest of the way, including going up by as many as 16 early in the fourth quarter on a Kate Dilsaver driving layup, 53-37. Lincoln mounted a rally down the stretch, with the Blue Tigers hitting 61.5 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter (8-of-13) and closing within two possessions with three minutes to go. The Black and Gold Tigers put the nail in the coffin by taking care of business at the free-throw line, with FHSU hitting 9-of-10 from the charity stripe in the final quarter to seal the win.
 
Hollenbeck led the way with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting while adding two blocks on defense, helping the Lincoln, Neb. native move into third in blocks and 19th in points on the all-time lists at FHSU.
 
Golladay was one assist shy of her first career double-double, with the point guard totaling 11 points and a career-best nine assists alongside two steals. The junior knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the second game in a row.
 
Katie Wagner contributed 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds, allowing the Maize, Kan. native to climb into ninth on the all-time scoring list at FHSU and into sole possession of seventh on the rebounds chart.
 
The Tiger defense forced 16 Lincoln turnovers, with FHSU turning those into 17 points. The Tigers made the most of six offensive rebounds, scoring 10 second-chance points.
 
Fort Hays State will head out on the road for its next three contests, beginning Thursday (Jan. 11, 5:30 p.m.) in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern.