Women's Basketball Falls to Colby in Overtime

Fort Hays Tech Northwest Women's Basketball fell to the Colby Community College Trojans on Wednesday evening, 78–68, in overtime.

The game began tightly contested, with Colby holding a slight edge until Tech evened the score at 9–9 just under the four-minute mark of the first quarter. The Tigers then grabbed their first lead on a three-pointer from Marta Rodriguez. The Tigers continued to push forward with a steal and a layup from sophomore Al'Asia Brown follwed by another triple from Taisiia Vypovskao give the Tigers a 17–11 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Tech's defense set the tone to begin the second, forcing a shot clock violation on Colby's opening possession. However, the Trojans would quickly to cut the deficit to 18–15, prompting the Tigers to call their first timeout. The Tigers would soon find their offensive rhythm again as Rodriguez hit two more triples to keep the momentum moving.  Both teams continued to trade baskets, but Vitória Fernandes extended the Tigers' lead to 10 points, 34–24, with 30 seconds remaining in the half. Colby responed with a late score, with Tech carrying a 34–27 lead into halftime.

Rodriguez wasted no time to start the second half, attacking the rim for an and-one layup. The Trojans would quickly call a timeout as Tech jumped out to a double digit lead in the first minute. The Tigers continued thier run, with Fernandes hitting another triple, prompting Colby to change out their lineup with the Tigers now on a 7–0 run. The Trojans eventually broke their scoring drought at the free-throw line just under the eight-minute mark. As the quarter progressed, Colby found its rhythm and worked the deficit back to single digits. FHNW would call a timeout just below the four and a half minute mark to talk things over with Tech maintaining a nine point advantage, 45–36. The Trojans continued to chip away in the last couple of minutes, with the Tigers maintaining a 54–49 edge going into the fourth.

Colby quickly went to work in the paint, scoring four straight at the free throw line to narrow the score 54–53. The Trojans would breifly take the lead, 55-54, with a basket in transition before Fernandez hit her fifth three pointer, to put Tech back in front. The Tigers held a narrow 57–56 edge at the final media timeout under five minutes to play. Colby regained the lead out of the break, capitalizing on a turnover for another transition basket. Zoe Burton answered with a triple to give Tech a 61–60 advantage with 2:34 remaining. With under two minutes left, the Trojans converted off another turnover to take a 63–61 lead.

With 15 seconds remaining, Tech forced a tie-up with two seconds on Colby's shot clock. The Tigers would proceed to steal the inbound, with coach Klein quickly calling his final timeout to put the ball at mid court with 13 seconds left. Rodriguez rose up for a corner three, drawing a foul to send her to the line for three shots. She converted two of the three attempts to tie the game at 63–63, forcing the game to overtime.

Colby struck first in overtime with an and-one layup, while Burton fouled out on the play. The Trojans stretched their lead to six with under a minute remaining. Tech managed a late basket and quickly called timeout with 47 seconds left, but Colby had all but sealed the game, making four more shots at the foul line to end the game 78–68.

Marta Rodriguez lead all scorers with 28 points. Vitória Fernandes added 15 points, all from beyond the arc, while also hauling in seven rebounds.

The Lady Tigers return to action Saturday at home against the Coffeyville Red Ravens, with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m.