by Ronan Khalsa, NSU Communications
HAYS, Kansas – Northeastern State women’s basketball (2-4 in MIAA) could not make up the difference following an 11-0 run by Fort Hays State (4-0 in MIAA) to begin the game Friday night in a 80-60 setback. The RiverHawks had three players score in double figures, but FHSU shot 53.3 percent from the field to their 36.8.
The Tigers took command and did not give it up as they responded to each RiverHawks run. Before junior Maegan Lee, who earned her first start of the season, sunk her first of two 3-pointers the Tigers ran the floor hard charging into the paint. Senior Cenia Hayes (Cherokee), who had started the previous 58 straight games, entered the game with 8:03 remaining and hit a 3-pointer herself to close out the quarter. The RiverHawks made three of their six attempts from beyond the arc. When it bounced away, sophomore Zaria Collins often was right there to clean up the misses, collecting three offensive rebounds in the quarter. After 10 minutes, Fort Hays State led 20-14.
The Tigers remained hot throughout the second stanza, shooting 48.0 percent for the half while Northeastern State cooled off following the second Lee and senior Shae Sanchez 3-point makes. With 2:26 until the halftime break, Fort Hays State’s lead was 14 points, 34-20.
Coming out of halftime down by the score of 34-24, the RiverHawks attacked the paint early in their possessions. They did not miss a layup until the 6:44 mark. In fact, throughout the game when NSU forced its way into the paint, it converted. It scored 28 points in the paint for the game.
“We definitely caught back up,” head coach Fala Bullock said. “In the second half, we got a better rhythm with our offense and were able to get some good baskets inside. Fort Hays is a long, strong team and they make it tough inside. We had to find some other ways to score.”
The final quarter saw Fort Hays adjust to Northeastern State’s new attack mindset yet continue to apply pressure and extend its lead.
Northeastern State was led by Hayes with 18 points, although limited to 22 minutes, she was joined in double figures by Collins with 16 and Maegan Lee with 10. Fort Hays also had three players in double digits; Jaden Hobbs (20), Whitney Randall (18) and Cydney Bergmann (15).
