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get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
Tiger women snag second straight win
12/13/2009
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
The Fort Hays State University women's basketball team didn't relax until the game was in hand.
As a result, the Tigers claimed their second straight home conference victory on Saturday, defeating Missouri Western State University 75-61 in front of 1,635 fans at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
"We got what we wanted," said Tiger coach Tony Hobson, whose team (8-1 overall) improved to 2-1 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. "Certainly can't lose at home to a team you're at in the standings, or below."
Fort Hays led by as many as 28 points in the second half before Missouri Western (1-6 overall, 0-3 MIAA) went on a 16-4 run in the final four minutes to get within 10 points with 40 seconds remaining. The Tigers swished four from the line in the waning seconds for the final margin.
"I thought we relaxed the last six minutes," Hobson said. "Prior to that, I thought we played real well."
Missouri Western hung around in the first half, trailing by nine points until a late blitz by the Tigers.
Leading 34-25, Fort Hays went on an 8-0 run in the final 1:33 of the first half. After junior forward Kara Champlin hit a bucket, senior guard Naomi Bancroft hit a pair of 3-pointers to give the Tigers a 42-25 halftime lead.
"Naomi hit a couple right before the half, spread it out," Hobson said.
Bancroft's second trey in that span was a guarded, off-balance 25-footer at the buzzer.
"If they give degree of difficulty, it would be an 8 or 9," Hobson said.
Fort Hays then went on a 17-6 run to start the second half, taking a 59-31 lead on Bancroft's conventional three-point play with 12:39 left in the game.
Bancroft finished with a game-high 18 points, Champlin scored 13 off the bench and freshman forward Kara McFarland added 10 points.
"I thought Kara Champlin had a real good game," Hobson said.
"I thought she played about as good as she has."
Hobson also was happy to see McFarland get in double figures.
"McFarland, we've been trying to get her be a little bit more aggressive on offense," Hobson said.
Missouri Western also put three players in double figures, led by sophomore forward Jessica Koch's 17 points. Junior guard Lauren Nolke added 14 points and sophomore forward Kristin Bush scored 12 for the Griffins.
Fort Hays will play host to Doane (Neb.) College in a 6 p.m. non-conference game on Wednesday at GMC. After the Christmas break, the Tigers return to MIAA action on Dec. 30, with a home game against rival Washburn University.
"I didn't want to play (Saturday) and have a three-week layoff," Hobson said. "Doane is a capable NAIA team, good program."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |