By Dustin Armbruster

St. Cloud State took advantage of a sluggish Fort Hays State women’s basketball team to take a nine point lead three different times in the first seven minutes of Friday’s game in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Tigers finally found traction in the first quarter to go on a 10-0 run on points from five different players to end first quarter leading 18-17.

The Huskies found their three point shooting stroke over the first two minutes of the second quarter to regain a 25-20 advantage. Like they did in the first quarter, Fort Hays finished the quarter strong with a 12-0 run to take their biggest lead of the first half 42-30. St. Cloud State hit a three to end the half and trim the lead down to 42-33.

Coach Tony Hobson

Fort Hays pushed their lead to ten when Jill Faxon took over in the third quarter scoring nine in a row and pushing the Tiger lead to 21 at 59-38. For Hays outscored the Huskies 26-9.

The Tigers pushed their lead to 25 points with 8:52 remaining, looked to be cruising to a victory. St. Cloud State had other ideas though as they cut the Tiger lead down to six at 76-70. The Huskies went on a 23-4 run over a period of six and a half minutes including five three pointers. Niki Kacperska though broke the run with a three pointer that started a 12-3 run to end the game with an 88-73 win.

Highlights

Fort Hays improves to 3-0 on the season and will play Saturday afternoon against Bemidji State at 2:00. Emma Stroyan was a perfect 9-9 from the field and 2-2 from the free thrown to lead the Tigers with 20. Jill Faxon added 18. St. Cloud State falls to 1-2 they will play Northland College in the final game of the Huskies Classic.