By Dustin Armbruster

Southwest Minnesota State jumped out to a 5-0 lead hitting their first two shots of the game before Fort Hays State put together a 12-0 to take a lead they would never give up. The Tigers led by seven twice in the first quarter but then went on a 4:40 scoring drought extending into the second quarter, allowing the Mustangs to stay with in five points at the end of the first quarter 15-10.

Once the Tigers broke out of the shooting drought they took off. Fort Hays outscored the Mustangs 25-13 in the second quarter to take their biggest lead of the game to the locker room 40-23. The Tigers were powered by eight three pointers in the first half by six different players. Fort Hays defensively forced 15 first half turnovers leading to a 12-1 scoring edge off of turnovers.

Highlights

The Tigers defense didn’t relent in the second half allowing a single point in the first five minutes of the third quarter and building their lead to 49-24. Fort Hays would push their lead as high as 30 in the third quarter and lead 59-32 heading into the fourth and cruised to an 83-49 victory.

Coach Tony Hobson

Jill Faxon led four in double figures with 16, Emma Stroyan scored 14 and Taylor Rohlfs and Kacey Kennett each added 12. Fort Hays hit 13 three pointers in the game while shooting 49% overall. Freshman Lauren Hedlund led the Mustangs with 12.

Emma Stroyan

Fort Hays moves to 2-0 on the season and head to St. Cloud, Minnesota to take for another two game classic, playing St. Cloud State on Friday and Bemidji State on Saturday. Southwest Minnesota State falls to 0-2.