By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – The third-ranked Fort Hays State women overcame poor shooting and a double-figure second half deficit to beat Central Oklahoma 59-56 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The Tigers (16-1, 10-1 MIAA) shot 25-percent from the floor but win their sixth straight and stay unbeaten at home.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

UCO (12-5, 6-5) MIAA) hit six 3-pointers in the first quarter and seven in the first half in building a 10-point halftime lead. They pushed the lead to 14 with 6:08 in the third quarter before the Tigers put together an 11-0 run, keyed by a six-point possession, to pull within three heading to the fourth quarters.

Jill Faxon keyed the run with three straight 3-pointers and finished with 13 points and a game high 12 rebounds.

Paige Lunsford hit a layup with 1:02 in the fourth quarter to give FHSU their first lead since the first quarter. UCO’s Olivia Mason knocked in two free throws with 7 seconds to play to force overtime.

Down four in the extra period, Chelsea Mason hit her only 3-pointer of the game to pull the Tigers within a point. It keyed a 7-0 which gave FHSU the lead for good.

Lunsford, who hit five straight free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime, scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Tigers.

Fort Hays State travels to No. 10 Missouri Western Thursday night in a battle for first place in the MIAA.