FHSU Athletics
No. 19 Fort Hays State (15-3, 9-3 MIAA)
vs. Emporia State (9-9, 6-6 MIAA)
Saturday, January 27, 2024 • 2:00 p.m.
Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: The MIAA Network CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
Game Sponsor: Cancer Council of Ellis County
Promotions: Wear pink! Annual Pink Game in support of breast cancer awareness
Senior Citizen Day - All seniors 55+ can purchase a ticket for $5
Halftime Entertainment: FHSU Cheer Camp Performance (women's game only)
The 19th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team hosts another in-state rival on Saturday when Emporia State makes the trip to Hays. First tip between the Tigers (15-3, 9-3 MIAA) and Lady Hornets (9-9, 6-6 MIAA) is set for 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Fort Hays State became the first MIAA team to reach 15 wins this season on Thursday (Jan. 25), beating Washburn by 25 at home. The Tigers need five wins to extend their current streak of 12-straight 20-win seasons, which is the longest active streak in Division II.
After holding Washburn to its lowest point total of the season on Thursday, the Tiger defense lowered its opponent scoring average to 54.6 points per game this season. FHSU continues to lead the MIAA in that category while the Tigers now sit in 12th in Division II.
Katie Wagner leads the Tigers with 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, ranking in the top six in the MIAA in both categories. Now with 1,458 career points in 108 games, the Maize, Kan. junior moved into eighth on FHSU's all-time scoring list on Thursday.
Olivia Hollenbeck (1,198 career points) has the chance to climb two spots on the all-time scoring list this weekend. The junior is currently 17th, six points behind Jill Faxon (1,204 points) and eight back of Chelsea Mason (1,206 points).Wagner averages a double-double against Emporia State, putting up 15.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in four matchups. She's scored in figures in all four games and put up three double-doubles in those games, including a single-game high of 21 points against the Lady Hornets. Hollenbeck averages 10.5 points in four games against ESU, scoring in double figures twice and putting up 20 points once. Sydney Golladay averages 8.5 points and 4.0 assists in two games against the Lady Hornets. Golladay, Megan Earney and Jessie Sallach have all scored in double figures once against ESU in their career.
Emporia State leads the all-time series, 52-38, while FHSU leads in games played in Hays, 22-20. The Tigers have won each of the last three and seven of the last 10 matchups. A win Saturday would match FHSU's longest winning streak in series history at four (2x, 1976-78, 1989-90). The Tigers rallied from 14 points down to defeat the Lady Hornets in the only meeting last season, 77-68 (1/22/23).
ESU has dropped each of its last two games and three of the last four. The Lady Hornets are just 1-5 on the road this season. ESU leads the league with 13.8 offensive rebounds per game. Queen Ulabo (8.8 rpg) and Faith Paramore (8.7 rpg) both rank in the top four in the conference in rebounding. The Lady Hornets love to heave up 3-pointers, with ESU leading the league and ranking 12th nationally with 25.7 3-point attempts per contest. Paramore leads the Lady Hornets with 14.3 points per game and is first in the MIAA with eight double-doubles on the year.