January 16, 2019- Lady Hornets basketball defeated the #3 Fort Hays State Tigers 54-51 in White Auditorium. The Lady Hornets used an early second half run to take the lead and fought through the Tigers late surge for the win.
Fort Hays State opened the game by hitting 3-4 threes to take a 9-0 lead forcing the Lady Hornets to take a timeout with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter. Out of the timeout, Emily Miller hit a quick three followed by a steal and finish from Jessica Wayne to bring the score to 9-5. The Lady Hornets wrapped up the quarter on a 13-4 run to tie the game at 13 heading to the break.
After allowing the Tigers the first three points of the second quarter, the Lady Hornets used an 8-0 run to take a 21-16 lead with 5:58 left in the half. The two teams would head to halftime tied at 25-25.
The Lady Hornets started off quick in the third quarter scoring just 12 seconds in when Tiana Moala got an and-one layup on an assist from Tyra Jones. Over the first 4:28 of the quarter, the Lady Hornets went on a 12-0 run to take their largest lead of the game at 35-25. Jones led the Lady Hornets to a 45-36 lead with nine points in the third.
Teams exchanged buckets early in the fourth quarter before the Tigers made an 8-0 run to bring the Lady Hornets lead to 47-46 with 5:50 remaining. After leading since the 9:48 mark in the third quarter, the Lady Hornets trailed 51-49 with 1:51 left in the game. Moala tied the game at 51 with a layup with 1:24 on the clock but couldn't connect on the and-one attempt to take the lead.
After a Tigers possession with two shot opportunities, the Lady Hornets brought the ball up the court for their final possession. With 16.9 seconds left on the game clock and the shot clock expiring, Addie Lackey knocked down a game-winning three from the top of the key to give the Lady Hornets the 54-51 lead.
The Lady Hornets shot 35.9% from the field while holding the Tigers to 30.0%. Both teams shot 25.0% from three. Emporia State took just three free-throws in the game while the Tigers took 13. The Lady Hornets out-rebounded the Tigers 44-42 in the game.
Tyra Jones led the Lady Hornets with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Emily Miller joined her in double digit points with 10 while Jessica Wayne joined her in double digit rebounds with 10. Tiana Moala had a game high five blocks to go with her nine points.
The Lady Hornets will be back in action on Sunday, January 20 as they play host to Nebraska Kearney in White Auditorium. Tip off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Game Notes:
With her five blocks, Tiana Moala passed both Kelly Moten (103) and Casey Henningsen (105) to take eighth place on the Lady Hornets all-time career blocked shots list.
In the 21
st century, there have been 21 instances in which an MIAA team has started the season with at least 10 straight wins. The Lady Hornets have now either had or stopped that streak 13 times.
