HAYS, Kan. - A tremendous all-around effort in the first half carried the Fort Hays State women's basketball team past Northwest Missouri State Saturday afternoon (Jan. 20), 75-46. The Tigers improved to 14-4 on the year and 5-4 in conference play, while the Bearcats are now 1-17 overall and 0-10 in league action.
 
Carly Heim picked up her first career double-double in the win, dropping in 12 points while grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds and adding four assists, one block and one steal.
 
The Tigers limited NWMSU to just 15 points in the opening half, tied for the fewest allowed in the opening 20 minutes against a Division II opponent this season. The Bearcats connected on just four field goals in the opening half, hitting just 15.4 percent of their shots while making nine turnovers.
 
The Tigers were just as sharp on the offensive end, passing the ball extremely well and consistently using an extra pass to find an open teammate. FHSU knocked down 47.1 percent from the floor in the opening half, including 61.1 percent over the first 10 minutes of action.
 
Fort Hays State quickly took control after both teams scored on their opening possession, building an 18-point lead over the next six minutes thanks to a 20-2 run. The Tigers were in complete control in the paint, scoring 16 of those 20 points on layups. Northwest Missouri State broke up the scoreless streak with a free throw late in the quarter, but were unable to make a shot from the field for nearly 10 minutes reaching into the second quarter. A high-arching 3-pointer from Kacey Kennett put the Tigers in front 25-5 at the end of the first quarter, tied for the fewest points allowed in a quarter this season.
 
The visitors once again made only two field goals in the second quarter, but a 6-of-6 effort at the free throw line padded the scoreline. The Tigers cooled off a bit in the second period, making just 31.3 percent of their shots to go into the locker room with a 40-15 lead. Kennett finished the opening half with 10 points thanks to the only two long-range makes before halftime. Northwest Missouri State came into the contest leading the conference in 3-pointers made per game (8.8), but the Bearcats were unable to connect with a shot from behind the arc before the break.
 
The Bearcats turned things around in the second half, scoring 17 and 14 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. It was too little, too late, however, as the Tigers continued to build their lead throughout the contest.
 
Fort Hays State led by as many as 33 late in the third quarter thanks to an 8-0 run. Legette hit a jumper off an assist from Kennett to get things started, followed by a nice layup from Belle Barbieri. Kennett dropped in a layup on the following possession before Taylor Rolfs joined the party with a breakaway lay in after a beautiful no-look pass behind a defender's back from Legette.
 
The teams traded buckets in the fourth quarter, with neither side scoring more than 4-straight points. FHSU recorded back-to-back buckets late in the quarter when Whitney Clampitt tossed in a layup off an offensive rebound and Robin Ritsema hit a baseline jumper on the next possession.
 
The Tigers created 16 Bearcat turnovers thanks to 15 steals, including four from Kennett, three from Legette and two from Stroyan. The defense added seven blocks in the win, including two each from Ritsema and Lanie Page. The black and gold controlled the ball very well on the other end, making only six turnovers all evening.
 
Kennett was one of four Tigers to reach double figures in scoring, leading the way with 14 points. Legette and Stroyan both added 13.
 
Fort Hays State will head back out on the road next week when it travels to Jefferson City, Mo. to face off with Lincoln on Thursday (Jan. 25). First tip is set for 5:30 p.m. from Jason Gym.