By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. - Katie Wagner and Olivia Hollenbeck both recorded double-doubles but it wasn't enough as the 18th-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball lost their first game of the season 61-58 to Missouri Western State Saturday afternoon at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigers (7-1, 3-1 MIAA) held the lead for most of the first half and led 17-15 after the first quarter then held the Griffons (6-3, 2-2 MIAA) to nine points in the second quarter, stretching their lead to 11 before the MWSU scored the final four points to pull within 31-24 at the break.
The Griffons opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run to take the lead and held a 44-43 after three quarters. They hit three 3-pointers and and conventional 3-point play to go up seven with 2:42 to play.
A Sydney Golladay jumper, a layup from Katie Wagner and three free throws from Ellie Stearns pulled the Tigers to within one with 12 seconds to play. The Griffons would hit two free throws then Megan Earney missed on a three to end the game which seven lead changes.
Missouri Western outscored Fort Hays State by 10 in the second half and made five second half threes.
Wagner finished the game with 28 points and 14 rebounds while Hollenbeck added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Stearns scored seven and grabbed six rebounds.
Fort Hays State will return to action on Monday, December 11 in makeup game against Tabor College. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.