By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team had three players score in double-figures and never trailed in an 84-42 win over Rogers State Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers have won three-straight and improved to 6-3 and 2-0 in the MIAA.
Olivia Hollenbeck scored seven of her team-high 18 points in the first quarter, helping the Tigers to an 18-10 lead. FHSU outscored the Hilllcats (2-6, 0-2 MIAA) in the second quarter for a 42-20 halftime lead. The Tiger defense limited the Hillcats to one made field goal over the first eight-plus minutes of the quarter, outscoring them 22-4 over that span.
After hitting just one 3-pointer over the first 27 minutes of the game, they finished hitting five in the fourth quarter. Emma Ruddle knocked in their first late in the third, Jessie Sallach knocked down the first in her career midway through the fourth then Megan Earney hit four in a row over a two-minute span which pushed the Tigers lead to 40.
Joining Hollenbeck in double-figures was Katie Wagner with 17 points and Megan Earney with 12. Sallach was right behind with nine.
The Tigers dominated on the glass for a second-consecutive game, outrebounding the Hillcats by 19. FHSU grabbed a season-high 19 offensive rebounds, its most in a conference contest in more than two years. The Tigers scored a season-high 25 points off the 21 RSU turnovers.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State will hit the road next weekend for the first time four weeks when the Tigers battle Missouri Western on Saturday (Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m.) in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Division II Central Region Championship game. The Tigers will then make the short drive up Highway 71 to Maryville, Mo. to take on Northwest Missouri State on Sunday (Dec. 11, 1:30 p.m.).