Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Women's basketball team (9-4, 5-2 MIAA) will host the #15 Tigers of Fort Hays State (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) in their fourth nationally-ranked matchup in the previous five games on Thursday, January 11, at 5:30 PM in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center. The Lions currently hold a six-game win streak with recent road victories over #13 Pittsburg State, 71-65, #18 Drury, 80-57, Lincoln, 76-57, and #3 Central Missouri, 78-66.

Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Fort Hays State
Date: January 11
Tip-Off: 5:30 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Lions trail 37-20 | Last Meeting: 2/18/2023, MSSU won 61-58

Coaches
MSSU: Ronnie Ressel | 8th season at MSSU | 118-100 record
FHSU: Talia Kahrs | 1st season at FHSU | 12-2 record

Media Coverage
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/mssuwbb
Lions on Twitter: @mssuwbb; @mososports
Lions on Instagram: @mssuwbb

Scouting the Lions
The Lions look to continue a six-game win streak, beating three nationally-ranked opponents on the way, with most recent victories on the road against #3 Central Missouri, 78-66, Lincoln, 76-57, #18 Drury, 80-57, and conference rival #13 Pittsburg State, 71-65.

Reese Webb led the Lions with 15 points (5-8 FG, 2-3 3P), three rebounds and two steals in the six-point victory over #13 Pittsburg State. Brandi Hudson posted 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Ryan Franklin finished with 12 points (6-12 FG), six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Mia Topping rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11 points (2-8 FG, 7-8 FT).

Kryslyn Jones leads the Lions in points per game with 12.4 ppg. Three other Lions average double-digit points per game as well, Kaitlin Hunnicutt (12.0), Brandi Hudson (11.8) and Ryan Franklin (10.4). Ryan Franklin leads the rebounding category with 6.6 rpg.

Scouting the Tigers
The Tigers of Fort Hays State had a perfect 7-0 start to their season before taking their first loss of the season to Missouri Western in a 61-58 defeat. Since the loss, the Tigers are 5-1 with most recent wins over Lincoln, 74-62, Bethany College, 75-41, and Central Oklahoma, 84-66, and a loss to #11 Central Missouri, 72-65. The Tigers have a recent MIAA Athlete of the Week in Junior Forward Katie Wagner.

Leading the scoring for Forty Hays State is Katie Wagner. Through 14 games, Wagner is fourth in scoring in the MIAA, averaging 17.4 points per game on 49.7% shooting from the field and 54.2% from beyond the arch. 

One other Tiger averages double-digit scoring, Olivia Hollenbeck who averages 10.3 points per game. The leading rebounder for Fort Hays State is Katie Wagner, who averages 8.8 rebounds per game.

The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.