The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to head into the postseason on a high note when the Tigers travel to play Newman in the regular season finale Saturday. The opening tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium. It is the first time in 20 years that the Tigers have played on Leap Day (88-75 vs New Mexico Highlands, 2/29/00).
You can listen to the game on KJLS (103.3-FM) LISTEN LIVE
The Tigers enter the contest 21-6 overall and 12-6 in MIAA play, currently tied for fifth in the league standings, while Newman is fighting for its postseason life at 11-16 overall and 6-12 in the MIAA. A win would allow the Jets to clinch the final spot in the 2020 MIAA Championship tournament in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers will open their postseason with the MIAA quarterfinals on Friday, March 6 with a win on Saturday, while a loss could drop the Tigers into Wednesday's opening round pending other results around the league.
Fort Hays State is 17-1 all-time against the Jets, including wins in seven consecutive matchups. The Tigers are 5-1 on the road against Newman. FHSU is 8-1 against the Jets under head coach Tony Hobson, including a 2-1 mark in Wichita.
Taylor Rolfs averages 12.3 points per game against the Jets in her career, including a team-high 17 points in a 20-point win over Newman earlier this month in Hays.
Jaden Hobbs has scored in double figures in nine straight games, the longest streak for a Tiger this season.
Kacey Kennett needs just two 3-pointers to tie Chelsea Mason for the second-most long-range makes in program history at 172.
Newman has kept its postseason hopes alive with buzzer-beating victories in each of its last two games. The Jets need a victory Saturday to secure a trip to Kansas City. Newman plays teams tough at home, going 8-6 inside Fugate so far this season. The Jets commit just 9.1 fouls per game, fewest in the conference and ninth-fewest in the country. Kaitly Potter leads the Jets and ranks third in the MIAA with 17.1 points per game. She hits 3.3 shots from behind the arc per contest, ninth-most in Division II.
FHSU Sports Information