February 4, 2004

Late Rally Propels Hays
over Women's Basketball

Lopers Miss Costly Layups 

            Kearney, NE – The Fort Hays State women's basketball team ended a nine game losing streak to Nebraska-Kearney by outscoring the Lopers 10-0 in the final two minutes to secure a 76-69 victory Tuesday night in Hays, Kans.

            Hays improves to 12-7 (8-4 RMAC) while the Lopers fall to 16-4 (10-2 RMAC).

            UNK led for the first 34 minutes of the game, twice by 12 points, and was clinging to a 69-68 edge with 1:26 to play. Hays took the lead for good on a layup by Cassie Cordel with 50 seconds to go.

            After senior Heather Steffen missed a leaner in the lane with 29 ticks left, the Lopers were called for an intentional foul (two shots and possession of the ball).  Cordel made the first free shot and then, before she attempted the second, UNK's bench was called for its second technical foul of the game.

            Cordel thus iced the game at the free throw line by making a four of six free throws to make the score 74-69.  UNK had a chance to cut it to two with 19 seconds to go but senior Allison Kruger's three point attempt bounced off the front rim.

            Sophomore center Kalee Modlin had 10 of her team-high 18 points in the first half and also added six rebounds and four assists. Kruger scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds with sophomore Anne Manning having 11 points and seven boards off the bench.

            This trio helped the Lopers out rebound the Tigers by 12, 47-35, but each was each called for four fouls, limiting their playing time.

            The blue and gold also didn't take advantage of its dominance of the glass as the Lopers mustered only eight second chance points off 19 offensive rebounds.

            Cordell carried Hays in the second half, scoring 25 of her team-high 27 points. She was 15 of 18 at the free throw line for the game and also added nine rebounds.

            Guard Shanell Watson kept the Tigers in the game in the first half by scoring 16 of her 25 points. UNK had leads of 8-0 and 19-7 but Hays trailed by just six at the break. The Lopers led by 12, 46-34, two minutes into the second half but the Tigers quickly came back.

            Hays finished the game 25 of 30 at the line and scored 23 points off 21 UNK turnovers.