FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - A ferocious defensive effort helped the Fort Hays State women's basketball team defeat Pittsburg State by double figures for a second time this season Thursday evening, 61-49. The Tigers (20-6, 14-6 MIAA) collected their 20th win of the season in the process, extending their NCAA Division II-best active streak of 20-win seasons to 13. In comparison, the next-best active streak in the MIAA is four.
While Pittsburg State (19-6, 13-6 MIAA) is averaging more than 75 points per game this season, the Tigers have now held their in-state rival to its two lowest-scoring outputs of the season (49 points and 53 points).
Olivia Hollenbeck dominated the first five minutes, knocking down her first five shots from the floor and adding a block on defense to help the Tigers to an early 10-9 lead. Jessie Sallach and Megan Earney added 3-pointers later in the quarter, helping FHSU to a season-high 24 points in the first quarter. The Tigers led by double figures late in the quarter before Pittsburg State knocked down a pair of free throws, closing within 24-15 at the end of the frame.
The solid defensive effort continued into the second quarter, with the Tigers holding PSU scoreless for more than five minutes to start the frame. The Gorillas turned the ball over four times while missing their first four shots from the floor. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Emma Ruddle and Kate Dilsaver helped balloon the lead to 15, 30-15.
Brooke Loewe added a layup later in the frame to give the Tigers their biggest lead of the day at 17, 32-15. Pittsburg State bounced back over the final five minutes of the first half, closing within 34-23 at the break.
The Gorillas continued to crawl back early in the third quarter, closing within six with two minutes to go in the quarter before a Sallach jumper pushed the lead back to eight. Earney followed with her second triple of the game, extending the lead back to double figures at the end of the frame, 48-37.The Tigers forced six more turnovers in the final quarter, helping the home team stay in front by 10 or more points the remainder of the contest.
Fort Hays State had only one player score in double figures for just the second time this season, with Hollenbeck leading the way with 17 points. The forward was also dominant on defense, adding three steals and two blocks. Katie Wagner added eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Loewe chipped in nine points, a career-high seven rebounds and team highs in assists (five) and steals (three).
All 10 Tigers to see the floor hit at least one basket in the win.
Fort Hays State shot 40.0 percent from the floor (26-of-65) while forcing 18 PSU turnovers thanks to 11 steals. The Tigers turned the ball over just 12 times and won the rebound battle by four, 36-32.The Tiger bench combined for 29 points in the contest, while Pittsburg State did not have a single substitute record a point.
The Tigers, currently fourth in the MIAA standings with two games to play, will host Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Lions sit in second in the conference standings after defeating Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday, one-and-a-half games clear of FHSU. First tip is slated for 2 p.m