HAYS, Kan. - A career day from Tatyana Legette helped the Fort Hays State women's basketball team to a 76-63 victory over Newman Saturday afternoon (Nov. 18) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers are now 4-0 to start the season for the third year in a row, while the Jets dip to 4-2 overall.
 
Legette put on a clinic on both sides of the ball, scoring 17 points while adding career-highs with 15 rebounds and seven assists, tying her career-high with three steals and capping things off with two blocks. It was the first 15-15 game for a Tiger since 2015 (Kate Lehman, 17 points, 15 rebounds, 2/5/15). Four Tigers reached double figures for the second night in a row, with Taylor Rolfs adding 13, Kacey Kennett chipping in 12 and Whitney Clampitt recording 10 points. All nine Tigers to see the floor scored at least two points.
 
The Tigers shot 42.4 percent (28-of-66) as a team while the Jets countered with a 39.6 shooting percentage (21-of-53). Turnovers were the key difference in the game, with the Tigers forcing 17 Newman miscues while making just five turnovers of their own. FHSU dominated in the paint, outscoring the Jets 36-16.
 
Neither side could get much going in the opening quarter, with Fort Hays State making just 4-of-18 shots from the floor. Things were not any better for the Jets, who connected on just two field goals while making seven turnovers. Newman took the lead two different times early in the half before the Tigers went on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good.
 
Rolfs started heating up in the second quarter, burying 4-of-5 shots to tally nine points in the period. The Tigers hit 64.3 percent from the floor in the frame. FHSU was unable to pull away, however, as the Jets turned things on at the same time. NU drilled 10-of-16 attempts in the quarter, giving both sides 25 points in the frame. A 3-pointer from the top of the key for Legette put the Tigers in front by nine, 25-16, but Newman crept back to close the half down by four, 38-34.
 
The Tiger offense ran through Legette after the intermission, with the junior dishing out five assists over the final 20 minutes of play. Four of those assists came in the third quarter after Legette repeatedly drew in the defense, allowing her to find an open teammate with a perfect pass. The teams continued to battle early in the frame before FHSU went on a 10-2 run to stretch the lead to 12, 58-46. Clampitt opened the run with a driving layup before draining a triple on the next possession. Kennett hit a pull-up jumper before Legette drove to the basket and made a layup while being fouled. The Topeka, Kan. native made the ensuing free throw, giving the Tigers their largest lead of the game to that point.
 
Fort Hays State padded its lead as high as 16 points with a 3-pointer from Kennett midway through the final period, putting the Tigers in front 66-50. Clampitt knocked down 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to help FHSU hold off multiple Jet runs.
 
The Tigers will return to action in one week when Sterling comes to town Saturday (Nov. 25). First tip is set for 5:30 p.m.