By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Chelsea Mason hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds to play to force overtime, then Fort Hays State outscored Nebraska-Kearney 16-9 in the extra period as the No. 1 ranked Tigers hold off the upset bid with an 82-75 win in front of 2,935 Saturday at Gross Coliseum.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Mason led five Tigers in double-figures with 24 points and 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. Jill Faxon scored 17, Nikola Kacperska 13, Paige Lunsford 12 and Beth Bohuslavsky 11.

Kacperska hit a three on the Tigers first overtime possession to five them a 69-68 lead. Faxon added a three to push the lead to five as the Tigers win their first ever game as the nation’s No. 1 ranked team. They improve to 9-0 and 3-0 in the MIAA while the Lopers fall to 5-5 and 1-3 in the conference.

The Tigers shot 41-percent from the game including 9-of-17 from three-point range. The Lopers hit on 48-percent but were 4-of-16 from beyond the arc. The Lopers outrebounded FHSU by 12.

FHSU, who came into the game outscoring their opponents 215-25 off of turnovers this season, only outscored the Lopers 13-9.