FORT SMITH, Ark. - The eighth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team defeated Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday (Feb. 7), 73-68, overcoming a second-quarter deficit with a strong second half performance. The visitors capitalized on the Lions' 15 turnovers, converting them into 14 points to secure the win.
 
Brooke Loewe dished out eight assists in the win, giving the senior 236 assists on the year to break her own school record of 233 set last season.
 
The first quarter commenced with Keytonna Ross Wilson scoring the initial jumper for Arkansas-Fort Smith (4-18, 3-10 MIAA) at 9:38. The Tigers (21-2, 12-2 MIAA) quickly answered with Talexa Weeter's layup at 9:10, assisted by Ellie Stearns, evening the score. The Tigers then went on a scoring stretch, highlighted by Avery Lowe's jumper at 7:24 and Olivia Mortensen's layup at 6:46, establishing a 6-2 lead. Stearns contributed a significant three-pointer at 1:12, extending the Tigers' lead to 13-4. The Lions closed the quarter with a three-pointer from Jordan Gregory at 0:17, narrowing the gap to 13-8.
 
In the second quarter, the Lions outscored the Tigers, 26-17, with key contributions from Senese Rainey, who drained two 3-pointers. The Tigers' Weeter kept the game competitive by scoring seven points during the quarter, including a layup at 4:04 to tie the score at 24. Despite the Tigers' efforts, the Lions maintained their edge, with Haleigh Jackson scoring a late layup to extend the lead to 33-30 with 30 seconds remaining. The home team then sealed the quarter with a free throw by Jackson, closing the quarter at 34-30.
 
Fort Hays State took control in the third quarter with effective play, outscoring Arkansas-Fort Smith 24-20. Key performances came from Loewe, who knocked down a three-pointer at 6:44, and Stearns, who sank back-to-back 3-pointers at 3:18 and 2:50, pulling the Tigers ahead 50-45. The Lions responded with a three-pointer from Ross Wilson at 2:33, narrowing the gap. With just one second remaining, Ross Wilson tied the game at 54-54 with another crucial three-pointer, assisted by Telisha Brown, setting up a tense finish.
 
Stearns opened the fourth quarter with a layup for the Tigers, setting the visitors ahead 56-54. Weeter contributed significantly, scoring with a pair of free throws at 7:40 and a layup at 3:34, extending the lead further. Mikayla Pilley and Loewe also made key contributions, with Pilley adding a free throw and Loewe scoring off a fast break. Despite a late rally from Jackson of Arkansas-Fort Smith, capped by a steal and fast break layup with 50 seconds to go, the Tigers maintained control. The game concluded with Loewe converting two free throws with six seconds remaining, sealing a 73-68 victory for Fort Hays State.
 
Stearns scored 17 points, making five 3-pointers and collecting a team-high eight rebounds. Weeter led the team with 29 points, adding two blocks and three steals. Loewe contributed 10 points, while recording eight assists and three steals. Mortensen added six points and posted one block in the game.
 
The Tigers will be back at home on Thursday (Feb. 12) when they host Emporia State beginning at 5:30 p.m.