By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

No. 6 The Fort Hays State overcame a slow start to rally past Minnesota State 74-57 Friday night at Gross Coliseum for their first ever NCAA II tournament win, advancing to Saturday’s semifinals. The Lady Tigers improve to 29-3 while the Mavericks end their season with a 21-10 mark. FHSU will face Wayne State (Neb.) at 7:30pm Saturday. The Wildcats score the final seven points in an 87-80 win over Harding (Ark.). Pittsburg State and Emporia State meet in the first semifinal at 5pm.

FHSU Postgame Press Conference

 

Game Highlights

 

 

 

The Lady Tigers hit just one of their first 11 shots and fell behind by 13, but a 7-0 run to close the half pulled them within two at the break. A steal and layup by Nikola Kacperska pulled FHSU within one at 39-38. Jill Faxon hit a top of the key 3-pointers to give the Lady Tigers their first lead of the game with 14:04 to play. The 12-0 run put FHSU up six. A 10-2 run later in the half pushed the lead to double-figures.

Chelsea Mason led Fort Hays State with 21 points on 8-of-21 shooting including 4-for-14 from 3-point range. Kate Lehman, who shot only once and didn’t score in the first half, finished with 12 and eight rebounds. Minnesota State was led by Jamie Bresnahan who tallied 12.

The Tigers shoot 53-percent in the second half and finish 40-percent for the game. FHSU outrebounded the Mavericks by eight and scored 18 points off 17 MSU turnovers.