By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Winona State outscored Fort Hays State 18-2 over the final 8:08 of the fourth quarter as they rally from a 13-point second half deficit for a 60-55 win in the opening round of the NCAA II Central Regional at John Lance Arena. The 16th-ranked Tigers (25-6), who led 41-27 at halftime, hit only 5-of-33 in the second half and were 1-for-20 from beyond the arc after halftime.

Taylor Chandler and Jill Faxon led the Tigers with 11 points each. Faxon added a career-high 15 rebounds in the losing effort. Junior guard Tara Roelofs led No. 7 Winona State with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

FHSU Postgame Press Conference

Game Highlights

Winona State (30-3) raced out to an early nine-point first quarter lead, but the Tigers answered with a 31-9 run to go up 13. The Warriors scored 11 straight to pull within two late in the third quarter, but a 9-0 run by the Tigers pushed the lead to 11 with 8:08 to play.

The Tigers would not score again until a Jill Faxon layup with 0:13 to play, ending a 7:55 scoring drought in which WSU scored 17 unanswered.