By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - Hays High played their last non-conference game of the regular season as the Indians hosted Abilene on Tuesday night.
Girls: Hays 53, Abilene 27
Hays High never trailed in a 53-27 victory over Abilene Tuesday evening.
Abilene tied the game once at two points a piece. A 7-2 first quarter run put the lead into the Indians' hands for good. Hays closed the first quarter with a basket to lead 11-6.
Abilene but an eight point Hays lead down to four at two different junctions. The last was 18-14 with 2:50 remaining. The Indians scored the final six points of the quarter. They again beat the buzzer to score the final points before halftime and lead 24-14.
Abilene would not go away through the first five minutes of the third quarter. The Cowgirls cut a fourteen point lead for the Indians down to nine at 30-21 with 4:15 left in the third. Hays responded with their biggest run of the game.
The Indians scored the final eleven points of the third quarter and first seven of the fourth for an 18-0 run and a 48-21 advantage. Hays eventually pushed their advantage to 30 and settled for a 53-25 victory.
Hays was just the fourth team to score more than 49 points in a game against Abilene. Katie Linenberger tied a career high 21. Morgan Armbruster added a career high 11.
Hays is now 12-5. Abilene drops to 0-17. The Indians have only WAC games left in the the regular season. They stay home and host Garden City on Friday.
Boys: Hays 54, #5-4A Abilene 47
Hays closed out each of the four quarters strong in a 54-47 win over Abilene Tuesday night.
The two teams traded the lead through the first quarter. The game was tied at seven and eleven. It looked as if they two would head to the second quarter tied. The Indians though went the length of the court for a three pointer from Izaac Fox, his first of the season, for a 14-11 lead.
Hays started the second quarter slow and the Cowboys grabbed the lead at 17-15. Hays took the lead back at 18-17 with 2:40 left before halftime and never trailed again. The Indians took the lead during a 10-1 run to close out the half which gave Hays a 25-18 lead at the break.
Hays started the third quarter slowly as Abilene pulled within one point at 30-29. The final three minutes belonged to the Indians. Hays went on a 11-2 run which included three three point field goals. The run left Hays with their biggest lead of the game at 41-31.
Abilene made one last run at the Indians by outscoring Hays 7-0 over the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. Hays led 41-38, but following an Indian timeout Hays closed out the final five minutes with a 13-9 advantage for a 54-47 victory.
Three players for Hays scored in double figures. Dawson Ruder recorded a second consecutive double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Trey Oakley added 14 and Edwin Muller 13. Abilene was led by Brax Fisher who scored a game high 24 points.
Hays improves to 11-6. Abilene is now 14-3.
Hays returns to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday by hosting Garden City. Their last three games of the regular season are against WAC opponents.