
No. 2/3 Fort Hays State (15-1, 9-1 MIAA) vs.
Missouri Southern (10-5, 7-3 MIAA)
Thursday, January 20 • 5:30 p.m.
Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum
Radio: KJLS (103.3-FM)
Game Sponsor: High Plains Farm Credit
National Anthem: FHSU Pep Band / New Beginnings Preschool
Promotions: Welcome back night for FHSU students
Halftime Performances: Tiger Debs & TNT Dunk Squad
The second-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team returns to Gross Memorial Coliseum this weekend for two more critical MIAA matchups. First up is Missouri Southern on Thursday (Jan. 20) beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is the only regular-season matchup between the Tigers (15-1, 9-1 MIAA) and the Lions (10-5, 7-3 MIAA).
Fort Hays State enters the game on an eight-game winning streak, including a road win over a ranked opponent its last time out (74-61 at No. 22 Missouri Western). The Lions have won each of their last three contests.
The Tigers continue to lead Division II with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.48, fifth-best amongst all NCAA divisions. Jaden Hobbs tops all DII players with an assist/turnover ratio of 4.57.
Whitney Randall and Katie Wagner have both scored in double figures in each of the last five games, while Olivia Hollenbeck has scored exactly 14 points in each of the last three contests.
The Tigers are 36-18 all-time against Missouri Southern, including a dominant 24-4 edge in games played in Hays. The Tigers have won nine in a row at home against the Lions, with the last MSSU win in Hays coming in 2011. FHSU has won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including each of the last seven, the longest winning streak for either team in series history. The Tigers are 16-6 against the Lions under Hobson, including a 10-1 record at home.
The Lions lead the MIAA in blocked shots per game (4.0) and defensive rebounds per game (28.3). MSSU is 3-2 in road games this season, including losses in two of their last three games outside Joplin. The Lions are 17th nationally with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.15. Lacy Stokes leads the MIAA and is third in DII with 6.2 assists per contest. She is 10th in the country and tops the conference with 3.2 steals per night. The true freshman also leads the team with 17.1 points each game.