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Two key elements helping Tiger women's cause
1/11/2012
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
Two of the Fort Hays State University women's basketball team's biggest strengths helped the Tigers to an 80-63 home victory against Missouri Southern State University on Monday night. Throughout the season, FHSU has been solid at getting to the free throw line and rebounding.
In the victory, Fort Hays held a 43-30 edge on the glass and a 42-13 margin in free throws. It marked the eighth straight contest FHSU has outrebounded its opponent. For the season, the Tigers hold a plus-11.5 average rebounding margin, seventh-best in NCAA Division II in the latest national rankings, released Monday.
In addition, Fort Hays has already shot 410 free throws, 192 more than its opponents. The Tigers' 25.6 free throws per contest lead the MIAA. FHSU, which has 263 offensive rebounds, is on pace to finish second in school history for single-season offensive rebounds and third for free throws attempted.
Fourth-year coach Tony Hobson listed two reasons for the free throws: rebounding and several players that can drive and score around the basket.
"I think the No. 1 reason is the way we are dominating the boards," he said in his weekly news conference Tuesday. "A lot of the fouls are on after we rebound offensively and take it back up. A lot of times we draw fouls there and we are blocking off well and defensive rebounding has been strong, so some of those come over the back and things of that nature. I think No. 1, we are controlling the boards, and that draws a lot of fouls."
In addition, sophomore Katelyn Edwards, the team's leading scorer and rebounder with 15.4 points and 8.3 rebounds, leads the Tigers with 45 offensive rebounds and 85 foul shots. Junior Traci Keyser, the second-leading scorer at 12.1 points a contest, ranks second with 81 free throws and 30 offensive rebounds. Freshman center Kate Lehman and juniors Melissa Nelson and Kaiameka Brown can also score around the basket and collect fouls.
"No. 2, we have three or four kids who can really go to the basket," Hobson said. "Kate Edwards, that's kind of her forte, Kai Brown draws a lot of attention. Mel, (too). So I think those two things, we have more people that attack the basket and then just rebounding has been a strong suit for us."
The strengths have offset some average shooting, and have helped the Tigers open 14-2 and 6-2 in the MIAA. FHSU is on the cusp of the national rankings in the newest poll, released Tuesday. The poll, which doesn't take into account Monday's win, has FHSU with 39 votes, 27 out of the top-25. On Saturday, Fort Hays will travel to No. 10 Pittsburg State University (14-0, 8-0 MIAA) for a 1:30 p.m. start.
"They have a good balance," Hobson said. "They have a lot of depth. Lane (Lord) always does a good job with his teams. I actually think we match up well with them."
Fort Hays has shot 41.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on 3-point attempts, ranking eighth and seventh, respectively, in the 11-team MIAA. However, the extra shots from rebounding and the free throws help the Tigers collect 76.2 points a contest, third-best in the league. As well, Fort Hays permits just 54.6 points a game, second-best in the MIAA.
"I am not sure what will happen if we ever start shooting the ball," Hobson said. "Maybe we won't, but hopefully we will. Two things that will keep you in games when you are not shooting the ball is rebounding and defense. If you can do those two things, you can stay in there and hopefully find other ways to score."
Edwards stepping up
Edwards was sick the first two games after holiday break and then was in foul trouble last Saturday against Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University. On Monday, though, Edwards bounced back with 9-of-12 shooting for a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, her fifth double-double this year. Edwards displayed her strong all-around game with field goals around the basket and a steal where she dribbled the ball down the court and scored on a fast break layup -- a trademark play of her terrific season.
The 6-foot Edwards ranks sixth in the conference with 1.8 steals per contest, the league's only player who ranks in the top-six in the MIAA in points, rebounds and steals. Of the top nine players in steals, Edwards is the only one above 5-foot-11.
"She is hard to guard," Missouri Southern coach Maryann Mitts said. "You have to be able to do it all against her. Guard the shot, you have to stay down for the drive. She is physical. She is just a complete player."
Poll changes
The Fort Hays men, on a three-game losing streak, dropped from No. 8 to No. 19 in the newest poll. Missouri Southern dropped down to No. 23 while Northwest Missouri State University, the MIAA leader at 12-1, 6-1 MIAA, entered the rankings at No. 24. FHSU is 10-4, 4-4 MIAA and in sixth place. The Tigers will face an athletic Pittsburg State team (9-5, 5-3 MIAA) in a 3:30 p.m. start Saturday.
"It's almost to the point we have got to quit worrying about what the other team does and we've just got to go back to worrying about what we do and drill on the things that we need to do," coach Mark Johnson said Tuesday.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |