#6 Fort Hays State 70 #19 Wayne State 54

        #6 Fort Hays State scored the first 11 points of the second half and outscored #19 Wayne State 49-35 to pull away for a 70-54 win over the Wildcats in the semifinals of the NCAA Central Regional Women's Basketball Tournament played at Gross Coliseum in Hays, Kansas.  Wayne State ends the season at 28-6 while the host Tigers advance to Monday's title game vs. Emporia State with a 30-3 record.
    The first half was a defensive battle as both teams struggled from the field.  Both teams picked up the offensive pace in the final six minutes of the half that featured four ties and two lead changes.
    After trailing 6-2 early, WSC came back and tied the score at 8-8 on a Sadie Murren layup with 11:17 to go in the half.
    WSC went the next 7:07 without a basket as Fort Hays State went on a quick scoring surge, making four straight baskets in a span of 1:44 to take an 18-10 lead.
    But the Wildcats answered the Tigers run as freshman reserve center Paige Ballinger scored four straight baskets from 4:10 left in the half to 1:18 to go in the half when her three-point play gave Wayne State its first lead at 19-18.
    Fort Hays State then countered with a Sarah Pimentel basket and a Kate Lehman free throw to end the half that gave the Tigers a 21-19 lead at intermission.
     The host Tigers opened the second half scoring the first 11 points, grabbing a 30-19 lead with 16:35 to play in the game.
    WSC went on a 10-3 run over the next 3:10 and got within six at 35-29 on a Jordan Spencer basket with 13:25 remaining.
    The 'Cats were still within six at 40-34 following a Yossi trey at the 11:43 mark.
    But Fort Hays State put the game out of reach by going on a 13-2 run to take a sizeable 53-36 lead with seven minutes to play and the Tigers went on to finish with the 70-54 victory to end Wayne State's season.
    Freshman reserve center Paige Ballinger and senior guard Ashton Yossi paced Wayne State in scoring with 16 points apiece while senior forward Jordan Spencer also reached double figures with 12.
    Wayne State was held to just 33.3 percent shooting on 20 of 60, going just 2 for 16 from the 3-point line, while sinking 12 of 13 free throws (92%).
    6-4 senior center Kate Lehman poured in a game-high 23 points to lead Fort Hays State.  Chelsea Mason and Beth Bohuslavsky added 13 and 12 respectively for the Tigers.
    FHSU made 23 of 54 shots from the field for 42.6 percent, including 5 of 15 from 3-point range and 19 of 28 at the charity stripe.
    Fort Hays State held a 42-36 advantage in rebounding over the Wildcats as Paige Lunsford led the Tigers with eight caroms while Maggie Schulte grabbed seven rebounds with Yossi hauling in six for the Wildcats.
    WSC had 10 assists and 10 turnovers in the game while FHSU had 14 assists and 11 turnovers.
    The game marked the final contest for three Wayne State seniors - Millie Niggeling, Jordan Spencer and Ashton Yossi.