HAYS - The fifth-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and never trailed in a 71-44 victory over Missouri Southern State in the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals Wednesday at Gross Coliseum.
The top-seeded Tigers (21-2) will now host the semifinals and finals Saturday and Sunday. FHSU will play Emporia State at 2:00 pm Saturday. The fourth-seeded Hornets rallied in the second half to beat Central Oklahoma 82-80. Nebraska-Kearney and Washburn will play in Saturday's second semifinal. The third-seeded Lopers defeated Pittsburg State 66-50. The seventh-seeded Ichabods upset the second-seeded Central Missouri Jennies 63-55 in Warrensburg.
Whitney Randall scored the Tigers first seven points. She surpassed 1,000 career points on a fast break layup on the Tigers second possession. Randall is the 22nd Tiger to eclipse 1,000 points and the seventh to do so under head coach Tony Hobson. FHSU has had a player reach 1,000 career points in each of the last three seasons.
The Tigers held MSSU (9-14) to 28-percent shooting and 3-for-21 from beyond the arc. FHSU scored 28 points off the Lions 22 turnovers. They also outscored MSSU 18-9 on second chance points.
Hollenbeck led the Tigers with a career-high 20 points. Randall added 16, Katie Wagner 11 and Madison Mittie 10.
Jaden Hobbs only scored three points but dished out seven assists with four steals a blocked shot an no turnovers.
Amaya Jones led the Lions with nine points.