ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
The Tabor College women battled NCAA Division II Fort Hays State for the first five minutes of their game Saturday before losing to the Tigers 104-63 at Hays.
A 3-pointer by Fort Hays’ Kelly Priest with 18:10 to play gave her team the lead for good, 7-4.
After the Tigers extended the lead to eight points, Tabor pulled back to within four, 14-10, on a pair of free throws by Angela Kroeker and then a layup by Kroeker following a steal by Tesha Werth.
The Tigers then went on an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to take control of the game, 25-10. Fueled by 19 Bluejay turnovers in the first 20 minutes, Fort Hays led 48-28 at intermission.
Holly Ross came off the bench to lead Tabor with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting from 2-point range. Close behind was Meaghan Coe with 11.
As a team, Tabor shot 32.3 percent from the field (21-65) and 11.1 percent (1-9) from behind the arc.
The game was not a thing of beauty for either team. Tabor piled up 32 turnovers, but also benefitted from 29 by the host team.
Coming-Tabor (3-3) will open KCAC play Thursday night at home against McPherson College. Game time is 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, they host Bartlesville (Okla.) Wesleyan at 6 p.m. The Bluejays will try to avenge an 83-76 defeat when the two teams clashed Nov. 10.