Hays, Kan. - The Missouri Southern Women's Basketball team traveled to Hays, Kansas to compete against the Fort Hays State Tigers in their final regular season game on the road. A back-and-forth thriller that went into double overtime ended in a 85-81 loss for the Lions. The Lions advance to 19-7 (15-5 MIAA) on the season.
Both teams were trading baskets from the tip as both were tied at 12-12 through the first four minutes of play. The Tigers could not mis in the first five minutes of play and added a quick 5-0 run to take a 17-12 lead at the five minute media timeout. The Lions turned things around quickly out of timeout and went on a 6-0 run from two
Ryan Franklin layups and a pair of
Morgan Meyers free throws with one minute left in the quarter to take a 18-17 lead. The Tigers closed the tight quarter with three unanswered points to lead the Lions 21-18 at the end of the first.
Kaitlin Hunnicutt led the Lions offensively in the first, going perfect from beyond the arch to add six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 3P).
Kaitlin Hunnicutt got things started in the second with a layup to narrow the deficit to one, but then the Lions began to struggle offensively. A pair of free throws were the only other points the Lions could add in the first five minutes as they were 1-6 from the field in that time span, but the Lions defense helped keep the game close. A
Kryslyn Jones three ended the missing streak as it brought the Lions to within five of the Tigers as they led 30-25 with 4:35 until halftime. The second quarter ended with more trades at the rim, but it was the Tigers that held a 38-34 lead at the half.
Brandi Hudson could not miss from the charity stripe as she led the Lions at half with nine points (1-1 FG, 7-7 FT).
The Lions offensive struggles continued into the third as they could not convert a field goal until their fourth shot from
Brandi Hudson as the Lions deficit grew to 45-38 with 6:46 remaining. The Lions defense began to alter the game, forcing three Tiger turnovers and not allowing the Tigers to score over the next two minutes as the Lions found an offensive rhythm that brought the game to 45-44 in favor of the Tigers. It was a back-and-forth finish, but the Lions edged out the Tigers to tie the game at 53-53 at the end of the third.
Both teams had a tough time scoring as the Tigers managed to pull ahead 56-55 with 6:36 remaining. Neither team could pull away as both continued to trade baskets until the final buzzer sounded and a tie game of 63-63 meant the Lions were getting their first overtime action of the season. Both teams were matching the other on both ends in the first overtime throughout all five minutes of play, which ultimately ended in another tie at 71-71 bringing the game to double overtime. The Tigers jumped to a quick 4-0 run in double overtime to take a 75-71 lead with 3:30 remaining. A
Kaitlin Hunnicutt jumper was quickly returned by the Tigers as both teams began to foul. The Tigers outscored the Lions 3-1 on the free throw trips as they had a 80-74 lead with 38 seconds.
Morgan Meyers then drilled a three followed by a
Kryslyn Jones jumper, but three more free throws from the Tigers put them up again 83-79.
Morgan Meyers added to her career night with another layup, but the Lions were forced to foul and the Tigers made both free throws to pull off the win over the Lions, 85-81.
Four Lions finished in double-digits in the win.
Morgan Meyers led the Lions with a career-high 20 points (6-12 FG, 7-8 FT), four rebounds and three assists.
Brandi Hudson finished with 18 points (3-5 FG, 12-15 FT), eight rebounds and two assists.
Kryslyn Jones posted 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-6 3P), five rebounds and one assist.
Kaitlin Hunnicutt rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points (5-11 FG, 2-5 3P) and a steal.
The MSSU Women's Basketball team will return to Joplin for their final regular season homestand of the season, beginning with Washburn on Wednesday, February 28 at 5:30 PM in Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.
The Missouri Southern women's basketball season is presented by People's Bank of Seneca, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
