Pittsburg State, Emporia State, Fort Hays State women win regional openers
Pittsburg State, Emporia State and Fort Hays State all won games at the women’s NCAA Division II Central Regional on Friday in Hays.
Pittsburg State allowed only two free throws over the final four minutes for a 60-53 victory over Northern State in the opening game.
The Gorillas were led by Mikaela Burgess’ 12 points. Kylie Gifford added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Pitt State will take on the Emporia State at 5 p.m. Saturday in the regional semifinals.
Emporia State beat Arkansas Tech 68-51 in the day’s second game. The Hornets trailed by 11 in the first half, but took the lead early in the second half and led by as much as 18 points.
Kelly Moten led Emporia State with 15 points, and Merissa Quick had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Fort Hays State, the region’s top seed, trailed by two points at halftime but rallied with a 45-point second half to beat Minnesota State-Mankato 74-57. Chelsea Mason hit four three-pointers and scored a team-high 21 points for the Tigers. Senior Kate Lehman was limited to 25 minutes and finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Fort Hays State will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against the winner of Friday’s last game between Wayne State (Neb.) and Harding (Ark.).
Pittsburg St. 60, Northern St. 53
NORTHERN STATE (26-7): Stotesbery 14, Krogman 12, Mutchler 9, Waytashek 5, Brecke 4, Hofschild 4, Deadrick 3, Smith 2. Totals 22-60 (1-11) 8-13 53.
PITTSBURG STATE (27-6): Burgess 12, Gafford 11, Jeronimus 9, Reed 9, roderique 4, Herlocker 6, Westhoff 5, Brugman 2, Lungwitz 2. Totals 22-54 (3-12) 13-19 60.
Halftime — PSU 36, NS 33. 3s — NS 1-11 (Waytashek), PSU 3-12 (Burgess, Herlocker, Westhoff). Rebounds — NS 40 (Krogman 14), PSU 35 (Gafford 7). Assists — NS 12 (Krogman 4), PSU 10 (Burgess, Herlocker 3).
Emporia St. 68, Arkansas Tech 51
ARKANSAS TECH (23-7): Adams 27, Myers-Sanders 10, Pounds 8, Hayden 2, Monte 2, Eubanks 2. Totals 17-57 (0-7) 17-20 51.
EMPORIA STATE (26-4): Kelly 15, Quick 13, Barnwell 11, Lackey 6, Flott 6, Miller 7, Krmer 4, Holloway 4, Bruner 2. Totals 21-54 (7-22) 19-24 68.
Halftime — AT 30, ESU 24. 3s — AT 0-7, ESU 7-22 (Barnwell 3, Moten 2, Flott, Miller). Rebounds — AT 36 (Adams 12), ESU 41 (Quick 11). Assists — AT 2 (Pounds, Hayden), ESU 10 (Lackey 4).
Fort Hays St. 74, Minnesota St. 57
MINNESOTA STATE (21-10): Ulfers 5, Bresnahan 12, Davis 10, Detzotto 9, Olson 7, Scherber 8, Hoelmenn 6. Totals 23-58 (7-21) 4-6 57.
FORT HAYS STATE (29-3): Shaw 7, Lehman 12, Kacperska 7, Mason 21, Lunsford 2, Bohuslavsky 9, Faxon 8, Pimentel 6, Stein 2. Totals 29-72 (7-23) 9-13 74.
Halftime — MS 31, FHS 29. 3s — MS 7-21 (Scherber 2, Bresnahan 2, Davis, Detzotto, Olson), FHS 7-23 (Mason 4, Faxon 2, Kacperska). Rebonds — MS 36 (Bresnahan 7), FHS 44 (Shaw 9). Assists — MS 15 (Davis 5), FHS 14 (Kacperska 5).
This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Pittsburg State, Emporia State, Fort Hays State women win regional openers."