By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women held Emporia State without a field goal for over six minutes to start the fourth quarter and turned a five point deficit into a five point lead then held on a for a 57-54 win to advance the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.

The win avenges a loss the Hornets (17-11) in last year’s tournament quarterfinals and ends ESU’s 16-game MIAA Tournament win streak.

The Tigers (24-5) hit only one of their 15 three point attempts but were good from the free throw line, hitting 24-of-32 for the game. They knocked down 14 of 16 in the final five minutes and scored their final 12 points from the line including eight in the last 1:30.

ESU finished with 18 turnovers, eight of them coming in the fourth quarter.

 

FHSU Postgame Press Conference

Game Highlights

FHSU fell behind by seven midway through the first quarter but used a 10-3 run to tie the game at 13-12 with a little over two minutes left in the opening frame. An 8-1 run built their lead to five and they led 30-26 at halftime.

The Hornets closed the third quarter on a 5-0 run and led 42-37 entering the fourth.

FHSU stCarly Heim played all 40 minutes and was the only Tiger to reach double-figures with 13 points. The Hoxie junior had five rebounds and four steals. Tatyana Legette and Taylor Rolfs both scored nine. Legette led the team with nine rebounds.

Tyra Jones scored 14 and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Hornets (17-11). Jessica Wayne added 11 points and 12 boards.

The Tigers advance to the semifinals at noon on Saturday.