By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

Fort Hays State opened up their season Friday afternoon taking on Upper Iowa University in the opening game of the Drury Inn Tip-Off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. Just like the season opener between the two one year ago, Fort Hays used a strong second half to pull away for an 82-56 victory.

Fort Hays jumped out to an early 7-3 lead on Upper Iowa, only to have the Peacocks rattle off seven straight points to take a 10-7 lead mid way through the first quarter. The Tigers outscored Upper Iowa 6-3 over the final minute of the first quarter capped off by a stick back basket by Kacey Kennett at the buzzer to tie the game at 15-15.

The Tigers opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run including five from Carly Heim to take their biggest lead of the first half at 25-17. Upper Iowa went on a 8-2 run of their own to get back with in two points at 27-25. Fort Hays got three pointers from Taylor Chandler and Sarah Pimentel to push their lead up to 34-29 at halftime.

Game Highlights

Upper Iowa kept the game close through first four minutes of the third quarter, trailing 40-36. Fort Hays would close the third quarter on a 14-4 run to start pulling away. The Tigers full court pressure eventually wore down Upper Iowa as Fort Hays used a 24-4 run in the fourth quarter on their way to the victory.

Taylor Chandler Postgame Interview

Taylor Chandler led three in double figures with 12. Taylor Rohlfs and Tatyana Legette each added ten. Legette added a career high 14 rebounds to lead both teams. Fort Hays out-rebounded Upper Iowa 47-25 and used 19 offensive rebounds to score 22 second chance points.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

The Tigers move to 1-0 on the season and play Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday in St. Joseph. Upper Iowa drops to 0-1 and will play Missouri Western to close the Drury Inn Tip-Off Classic.