St. Cloud State
0-1,0-0NSIC
Fort Hays State University
3-0,0-0Mid-America Intercollegiate
Huskies edged by #4 Fort Hays State 58-51
11/19/2021 11:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
St. Cloud State holds Tigers to .313 shooting percentage in loss
HAYS, KANSAS – It wasn't the easiest way to start the 2021-22 season, but the St. Cloud State University women's basketball team has never backed down from a challenge. The Huskies battled #4 Fort Hays State University in Friday evening's season opener and even had the nationally ranked Tigers on the ropes in the fourth quarter. Sadly, St. Cloud State was unable to come away with the victory, as free throws led to a 58-51 victory for Fort Hays State.
GAME NOTES
For many years, the Huskies identity has been stingy defense, and the defense certainly came to play Friday night. As a team, St. Cloud State tallied nine blocks and nine steals against the Tigers and pulled down 29 defensive rebounds. Additionally, the Huskies held Fort Hays State to a .313 shooting percentage in the game, including a .214 mark in the first quarter with a .200 clip from three point range. That allowed St. Cloud State to enter the locker room at half trailing by just four points, as the Tigers held a slim 24-20 advantage after the opening 20 minutes.
Fort Hays State and the Huskies had "big" third quarters, as St. Cloud State outscored the Tigers 22-18 to even the score at 42-42 entering the fourth and final quarter. The Huskies even took a lead with five minutes remaining in regulation, as Erin Navratil (Albany, Minn. / Albany) drained a three to give St. Cloud State a 49-48 advantage. When Fort Hays took a late 53-51 lead, the Huskies were forced to foul. The Tigers drained enough free throws to hold St. Cloud State at bay, as Fort Hays went on to win 58-51.
TOP HUSKIES
- Tori Wortz (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) did most of the scoring for the Huskies Friday night, as she closed the game with a team-leading 19 points and added seven rebounds, one block and five steals.
- Brehna Evans (De Pere, Wis. / West De Pere) was also a solid offensive threat for St. Cloud State Friday evening. The reigning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year scored 12 points for the Huskies and added six rebounds, three assists and three steals against the Tigers.
- Nikki Kilboten's (Eau Claire, Wis. / Eau Claire North) was something to behold, as she tallied a career-high seven blocks against #4 Fort Hays State and added a team-leading 10 rebounds in 29 minutes of play.
UP NEXT
St. Cloud State will face Newman University on Saturday, rounding out the team's trip to Hays, Kansas. Tip off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT at Fort Hays State.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Women's Basketball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
