No. 4/4 Fort Hays State (29-3, 19-3 MIAA) vs.
No. 16/RV St. Cloud State (24-4)
Saturday, March 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum
2022 NCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship
Central Region Semifinals
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After a thrilling victory in the quarterfinals Friday evening, the fourth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team has advanced to Saturday's Central Region semifinals of the 2022 NCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship (March 12). The Tigers will face off with fifth-seeded St. Cloud State, whom the Tigers beat earlier this season by seven points in Hays. First tip between the Tigers and Huskies is set for 7:30 p.m.
Friday's quarterfinal round was full of upsets inside Gross Memorial Seed, with the lower seed winning three of the four matchups, more than any other region. No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney will take on no 7 Missouri Western in the first semifinal, set for a 5 p.m. first tip.
The Tigers won their 10th game in a row Friday, reaching 10 straight wins for the 14th time in program history. It is the second-longest active winning streak in DII.
Fort Hays State is now 6-6 overall, 2-2 in the semifinals, 5-3 as the No. 1 seed, 1-0 against the No. 5 seed, 5-2 in home games, 5-4 while ranked and 4-1 against NSIC programs in the Central Region Championships. The Tigers are 20-2 overall against NSIC teams under head coach Tony Hobson.
Katie Wagner now averages 18 points per game in two career NCAA tournament appearances after erupting for a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double Friday evening. Jaden Hobbs averages 15 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in her two tournament contests.
St. Cloud State shared the regular season NSIC championship before reaching the Northern Sun championship game. Between losing to FHSU in the first game of the year and losing to Minnesota Duluth in the NSIC title game, the Huskies went on a stretch where they won 23 of 25 games. Tori Wortz was a first team All-NSIC selection and was the conference's Outstanding Senior of the Year. Nikki Kilboten was first team All-NSIC and was on the NSIC All-Tournament Team. Brehna Evans was second team All-NSIC, NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and was on the NSIC All-Tournament Team. Lori Fish was named NSIC Coach of the Year. Three Huskies average in double figures, including Tori Wortz leading the way with 14.6 points per game. SCSU turns the ball over 12.3 times per game. The Huskies ranked ninth in the country in that category entering the tournament.