FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team found a way to grind out a 57-48 victory over a pesky Central Oklahoma team Friday evening inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Despite the Bronchos (4-5, 1-4 MIAA) entering the weekend averaging 76.4 points per game, the Tigers (9-3, 5-0 MIAA) managed to hold UCO to a point total that was 13 points lower than their previous season low.
Neither side could get much to go in the first quarter, combining for nine turnovers and just six field goals. Both teams surpassed that total in the second frame, with each side knocking down seven shots from the floor. Central Oklahoma led by as many as five midway through the second before a pair of Olivia Hollenbeck stick-back layups helped the Tigers go back in front by one before halftime.
Hollenbeck went back to work out of the locker room, outscoring the Bronchos herself in the third quarter, 10-8. The sophomore forward hit all five of her shots from the floor while grabbing five rebounds, including two more layups following offensive rebounds.
While the Tigers were taking care of business in the paint, outscoring UCO 36-22 for the game, the Tigers struggled to get things going from behind the arc. FHSU missed its first 10 long-range attempts before Megan Earney stepped up and hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, pushing the lead as high as 10 and extending FHSU's streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to 298.
Central Oklahoma proceeded to use a 12-5 run to close within three, 47-44, before Katie Wagner sealed the win. The Maize, Kan. native outscored the Bronchos 10-4 over the final five-plus minutes of the game thanks to an 8-of-9 effort at the free-throw line.
The Tiger defense forced three turnovers and five missed shots down the stretch, helping FHSU hold on for their seventh win in a row this season and their seventh-consecutive victory over Central Oklahoma.
Wagner led all scorers with 22 points alongside nine rebounds, while Hollenbeck totaled 20 points and 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and the fourth of her career. It was the first time multiple Tigers reached 20 points in a game this season.
Sydney Golladay dished out five assists and blocked a career-high two shots, while Kate Dilsaver led the team with two steals. Hollenbeck also blocked three shots on the defensive end.
The teams posted near-identical shooting percentages, 31.8 percent to 31.7 percent, but FHSU managed to hit five more free throws. The Tigers won the rebound battle, 47-40.
The Tigers continue their busy weekend with a Sunday matinee against Newman beginning at 2 p.m. before hosting the Bethany Swedes Monday evening at 6 p.m.