FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The seventh-ranked Fort Hays State women's basketball team defeated Tabor Tuesday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum, 75-37, dominating the game with a 45-30 rebounding advantage and 48 points in the paint.
The Tigers (9-1) began the first quarter with a strong presence, converting on early opportunities in the paint. Olivia Mortensen and Talexa Weeter led the charge with key tip-ins, giving the home team an early edge. The Tigers capitalized on turnovers, benefiting from six Tabor giveaways, and used fast breaks to extend their lead.
Brooke Loewe facilitated the offense effectively, assisting on multiple occasions, including a fast-break layup by Weeter. The home team forced six turnovers in the opening quarter to limit Tabor's offense. As the quarter closed, Fort Hays State held a 21–13 advantage over the Bluejays.
Loewe kept things rolling in the second quarter, recording steal and layup, a 3-pointer and an assist to Weeter all in the first three minutes of the frame. The Tigers capitalized on turnovers and fast-break opportunities, outscoring Tabor 8-4 in transition points during the quarter.
Sarah Lawless hit 3-of-3 from the floor in the quarter to help the Tigers push the lead as high as 16 late in the quarter before the Bluejays scored just before the horn to make it 37-23 at halftime.
A 14-3 run over the heart of the third quarter, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Ellie Stearns and Weeter, helped the Tigers build the lead to 24 before taking a 22-point lead into the final quarter, 56-34.
The Tigers clamped down on defense even more in the fourth quarter, limiting Tabor to just 1-of-15 from the floor in the quarter. FHSU capitalized on Tabor's turnovers, with TiAna Davis and Callie Ott contributing fast-break layups. Mikayla Pilley further extended the lead with back-to-back three-pointers, assisted by Lawless and Ott, respectively.
Weeter led all scorers with 23 points, adding three steals and converting 10-of-15 field goals. Loewe contributed eight points, seven rebounds and a team-high nine assists. Mortensen added seven points and recorded two steals, while Stearns scored 10 points and collected five rebounds.
The Tigers hit 50.0 percent from the floor (31-of-62) while limiting TC to just 25 percent shooting (15-of-60). It was the fifth time in 10 games that the Tigers have hit at least half of their shots this season. FHSU scored 29 points off 20 Tabor turnovers and totaled 25 fast break points.
Up next
Fort Hays State will wrap up non-conference play on Friday (Dec. 19) when the Tigers host Chadron State beginning at 5:30 p.m.