FHSU Athletics
#11 Fort Hays State (14-2, 5-2 MIAA) at
Rogers State (7-10, 1-7 MIAA)
Thursday, January 23, 2025 • 5:30 p.m.
Claremore, Okla. • Claremore Expo Center
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: MIAA Network: CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
The 11th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens a four-game road swing Thursday when the Tigers take on Rogers State. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m. from the Claremore Expo Center in Claremore, Okla.
The Tigers enter the contest 14-2 overall and 5-2 in league action after defeating Northwest Missouri State by 24 points on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Hillcats carry a record of 7-10 on the year and 1-7 in MIAA contests after losing each of their last four games.
The Tigers rank second nationally in assists (19.5 per game) and assist/turnover ratio (1.40). Brooke Loewe is third in Division II with an average of 7.3 assists per game, an average that would shatter the program record of 6.0 assists per game (Jaden Hobbs, 2020-21).
Fort Hays State is one of two schools in the MIAA with a trio of players that rank in the top 15 in scoring in the league. Olivia Hollenbeck is fourth in the conference with 16.8 points per night, while Katie DeGarmo ranks seventh with 15.7 points per evening and Talexa Weeter sits in 15th with an average of 13.4 points per contest.
After defeating the Bearcats on Saturday, Fort Hays State is now 8-1 when coming off a loss under head coach Talia Kahrs. All but one of FHSU's wins have been double-figure victories, including nine by 20 or more points, while both of the Tigers' losses have been by just one point.
DeGarmo is closing in on a pair of milestones. The graduate student needs 29 rebounds to tie Kate Lehman for the school record in rebounds (1,109 career boards). She is also just 17 points away from becoming the second player in school history to score 2,000 career points.
The Tigers last played on January 23 in 2021 when they defeated Pittsburg State on the road 85-73. That game was the last time FHSU hit better than 60 percent from the floor, with the Tigers knocking down 36-of-58 from the floor (62.1 percent). FHSU is 9-4 on this date in recorded history.
The Tigers are 8-0 all-time against the Hillcats, including a 4-0 lead in games played inside the Claremore Expo Center. Fort Hays State is 1-0 against the Hillcats under head coach Talia Kahrs, including a 1-0 mark on the road.
Rogers State enters the week 7-10 overall and 1-7 in league action. The Hillcats are 6-3 at home this season, including a 1-2 record in home conference games. RSU ranks third in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 60.1 points per night. They rank 13th in the league in free throw shooting, knocking down just 64.9 percent from the line. Ella Hafer paces the team with 13.6 points per contest. Jaina Wiggins ranks third in the conference with 1.76 blocks per night, while Alyza Aikins is third in steals with an average of 2.06 per contest.