FHSU Athletics
MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team used a dominant second half to come from behind and defeat Northwest Missouri State Sunday afternoon, 67-52. The Tigers trailed by as many as nine in the first half before doubling up the Bearcats after the break, 38-19.
Fort Hays State jumped out to a hot start, knocking more than half of its attempts in the opening quarter to lead by as many as nine. But the Bearcats were even more efficient, hitting 72.7 percent in the opening frame (8-of-11). Northwest closed the quarter on a 12-2 run to take a one-point lead, 21-20.
The Bearcats continued to add to their lead early in the second quarter, going in front by as many as nine, 29-20, after holding the Tigers scoreless for nearly five minutes. Ellie Stearns helped the Tigers break out of the funk with a 3-pointer, helping FHSU close the first half on a 9-4 run to close within four, 33-29.
Fort Hays State turned on the jets after halftime, knocking down eight of its first nine shots to race back in front by nine. The Tiger defense forced seven turnovers during that six-minute stretch, limiting the Bearcats to four points.
Overall the Tigers hit 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the floor in the second half while forcing 11 Bearcat turnovers over the final 20 minutes of play.
After entering the game ranked second in all Division II with just 11.0 turnovers per game, Fort Hays State forced Northwest into a season-high 19 turnovers. FHSU capitalized to the tune of 26 points off those Bearcat miscues, a new season-high for the Tigers. The Tigers lost the rebound battle for just the second time this season, 31-27.
Four Tigers scored in double figures for the second time this season, led by 17 from Olivia Hollenbeck on 7-of-10 shooting. Sydney Golladay tallied 11 points alongside four assists and two steals, while Katie Wagner and Jessie Sallach both scored 10 points. Ellie Stearns poked away a team-high four steals while Kate Dilsaver matched Golladay with a team-best four assists.
The Tigers will return to Hays next weekend to wrap up the semester with three games in four days. FHSU will host Central Oklahoma on Friday (Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m.), Newman on Sunday (Dec. 18, 2 p.m.) and Bethany on Monday (Dec. 19, 6 p.m.).