By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. - Olivia Hollenbeck scored 19 points and the Fort Hays State knocked down nine 3-pointers in a 74-62 win over Lincoln Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum. It was the most made 3-pointers by the Tigers at home in more than one year (nine vs. Newman, 12/18/22).
The win along with Saturday's other results around the conference has the 10th-ranked 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 over 50 percent from the floor in the opening quarter (8-of-15) to build an eight-point lead. The Tigers led by as many as 11 early in the second quarter before Lincoln (5-8, 1-6 MIAA) grabbed the momentum with a 15-0 run, Jessie Sallach hit a 3-pointer to end the 6:39 scoring drought and pulled FHSU within a point at 26-25 at halftime.
The Sallach basket was the start of a 13-0 Fort Hays State run which was keyed by 3-pointers from Sydney Golladay and Ellis Stearns. The Tigers hit 8-of-16 shots in the third quarter then 6-of-8 in the fourth.
Fort Hays State led by as many as 16 early in the fourth quarter on a Kate Dilsaver driving layup before Lincoln mounted a rally down the stretch. The Blue Tigers pulled as close as six with three minutes to go but FHSU hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final quarter to seal the win.
Hollenbeck went 8-of-9 from the floor and added two blocks which moved her in to third place on the career blocked shot chart and finished with 19 points which moved her to 19th on the all-time scoring list.
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 in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern.