By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
WICHITA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team held Newman without a field goal in the first quarter and cruised to an 85-35 win over the Jets Sunday afternoon at Fugate Gymnasium.
It's the largest margin of victory in series history and the first time the Tigers outscored an opponent by at least 50 points since 2021 (89-38 vs. Bethel College, 12/20/21).
The Tigers (9-1, 4-1 MIAA) finished the game with 17 steals, their most in a game against an NCAA Division II opponent in nearly four years (17 steals vs. Missouri Southern, 1/4/20). The offense was just as efficient, hitting a season-best 10 three-pointers while shooting a on a season-high 43.5 percent shooting from behind the arc (10-of-23).
11 of the 12 Tigers to see the floor scored with nine players with five or more points. Katie Wagner led the way with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and six steals, while Emma Ruddle hit three 3-pointers and added 15 points on her brithday.
The Tigers led 18-4 after the first quarter. Newman (1-11, 0-6 MIAA) didn't hit their first field goal until nearly four minutes into the second quarter. A Ruddle 3-pointer pushed the Tiger lead as high as 23 late in the first half before Newman scored the final four points of the period, closing within 34-15 at the break.
Fort Hays State scored 25 points in the third quarter before totaling 26 in the fourth quarter to complete the victory. FHSU held Newman to just 20 points in the second half.
The Tigers collected outrebounded the Jets 55-26 and had 21 offensive rebounds which they turned into 30 second-chance points.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State will wrap up the road trip Tuesday at Central Oklahoma at 5:30 p.m. before returning to Gross Memorial Coliseum after the holiday break to take on Bethany on December 30 beginning at 2 p.m.