HAYS, Kan. - In a game that featured 20 lead changes and four ties, the No. 2 Fort Hays State women's basketball team rallied from as many as 14 down to defeat Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon, 86-82. It was the largest deficit the Tigers have overcome since rallying from 20 down to beat Nebraska-Kearney on the road nearly three years ago (2/2/19).
Both teams shot the ball well all afternoon, with the Tigers (16-2, 10-2 MIAA) knocking down 47.6 percent (30-of-63) from the floor. But the Gorillas (11-7, 6-6 MIAA) countered with a shooting percentage of 57.9 percent (33-of-57), the highest shooting percentage FHSU has allowed in more than two years (PSU, 60.7 percent, 1/6/20).
With the visitors outshooting FHSU by 10 percent, the biggest difference in the game came in the turnover category. The Tiger defense forced 18 turnovers thanks to 12 steals, turning those miscues into 20 points. The FHSU offense, on the other hand, tied its season low with just seven turnovers.
The teams traded punches early in the first quarter, with the lead changing hands nine times before the first media timeout. Pittsburg State pulled in front by six at the end of the quarter, 25-19, after hitting 4-of-7 from behind the arc in the frame.
Pittsburg State then led by as many as 14 early in the second quarter, 33-19, thanks to a 10-0 run. But the Tigers stormed back with 12-consecutive points of their own, closing within two on a Kate Dilsaver layup. FHSU later got within one point on a Whitney Randall 3-pointer before the Gorillas took a four-point lead into the locker room, 46-42.
The Tigers scored the first five points in the second half to momentarily take the lead before the teams went back-and-forth once again. The lead changed hands six more times in the third quarter, with PSU eventually taking a two-point advantage into the final frame, 63-61.
Lauren West opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from the corner right in front of the Tiger bench to give the Tigers the lead, but PSU punched right back with a made basket. Cydney Bergmann followed with a pull-up jumper to put FHSU in front once again before the Gorillas grabbed the lead right back on the other end.
A pair of free throws from Olivia Hollenbeck put the Tigers back on top two minutes later before FHSU pushed the lead to as many as seven. Katie Wagner put in a layup after an offensive rebound before Jaden Hobbs scored in transition following a rare PSU miss, giving the Tigers a 78-71 lead with three minutes to play.
Another Wagner bucket kept the lead at seven with 2:27 to play before the visitors rallied back to level the score at 80 with 53 seconds left. The second-year freshman came through with another put-back layup with 25 seconds left, giving the Tigers the lead for good.
With a chance to tie or take the lead, Pittsburg State instead made an untimely turnover before Dilsaver knocked down a pair of clutch free-throws to push the lead to four with six seconds remaining. The Gorillas dropped in a quick score after advancing the ball with a timeout, but were unable to steal the ensuing inbounds pass and instead fouled Wagner who hit two more free throws to seal the win.
Wagner was one of four Tigers in double figures, leading the way with 20 points and nine rebounds. Hobbs added 16 points and a game-high six assists, while Randall also scored 16 points thanks to a career-best four 3-pointers. Hollenbeck totaled 14 points thanks to an 8-of-10 effort from the free-throw line.
Jayme Jackson led the Gorillas with 22 points, with Erin Davis chipping in 20.
Now tied for first place in the MIAA once again after a Missouri Southern victory over No. 14 Nebraska-Kearney, the Tigers will look for revenge against the Lopers next Saturday (Jan. 29, 2 p.m.) when the MIAA leaders will battle in Kearney, Neb.
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