The Fort Hays State University women’s basketball is in a key MIAA road contest Thursday when the Tigers take on University of Central Missouri, a slated 5:30 p.m. start at the UCM Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg, Mo.
The Tigers sit 11-2 overall, but 2-2 in the MIAA, and will face a UCM team that carries a 9-1 mark (3-0 in the MIAA) and has won six straight contests.
Coming off a blowout win against Bethany College in the first game back from the holiday break, the Tigers have won four straight contests (two non-conference). The Tigers welcomed newcomer Lanie Page, a transfer guard from Kansas State University, in that contest. Page, a Wamego product, led FHSU with 14 points in her first contest.
FHSU won the only meeting between the two teams last season, a 69-59 win in Hays.
Two seasons ago — the last trip to Warrensburg — FHSU picked up a 59-50 victory, and coupled that with a home victory to sweep the season series.
With just one game, Page leads the Tigers with the 14-point average, while four other Tigers are in double-digit scoring. Tatyana Legette notches 13.8 points per game with Kacey Kennett right with her at 13.0. Taylor Rolfs and Carly Heim average 10.5 and 10.4, respectively, while Rolfs missed two games with an ankle injury.
The Tiger and Jennies are the top two scoring defenses in the conference. FHSU only has allowed 52.3 points per night, while UCM has surrendered 54.5.
Neither team has a standout scorer with Central Missouri being led by 13.9 points per night from Morgan Fleming. Legette and Kennett each are in the top 20 in the MIAA in scoring for FHSU among players with at least eight games played.
Following Thursday’s showdown, FHSU will travel to Bolivar, Mo., on Saturday to face Southwest Baptist University (8-4, 0-3).