HAYS, Kan. - Late-game heroics from Kassandra Caron propelled Missouri Western women's basketball (11-4, 6-1 MIAA) to a thrilling 70-69 victory over No. 7 Fort Hays State (13-2, 4-2 MIAA), marking their third top-10 win of the season.
 
MWSU has now won four consecutive games against FHSU, including two narrow, single-possession wins against the ranked Tigers this season. They staged a comeback from a 14-point deficit and ultimately regained the lead with four minutes remaining in regulation to accomplish this feat.
 
The Griffons opened the game fast, generating early momentum with a 12-2 run and establishing a lead of as much as 12 points. Senior Alyssa Bonilla spearheaded the offensive attack in the first with a team-leading nine points.
 
The Tigers responded strongly in the second quarter, outscoring the Griffs 26-8, giving them a 41-30 advantage at the half.
 
In the third quarter, senior Matilda Soderlund ignited an 11-3 run with a three-pointer at 4:18, narrowing the deficit to just two points at 54-52. Western finished the quarter shooting an efficient 10-of-18 (56%) from the field and 4-of-8 (50%) from beyond the arc. The quarter concluded with a buzzer-beating layup from sophomore Kelsey Johnson, bringing the score to 56-54 as they headed into the final quarter of play.
 
The 68th all-time meeting between Western and Hays did not disappoint on Thursday night.
 
Caron sparked an impressive solo 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to give the Griffs their first lead since 8:40 in the second quarter. The junior first tied the game with a three-pointer and then hit another to take a 65-62 lead. She capped off the run with a layup, extending the advantage to five points with 2:56 remaining.
 
With just one second left in regulation and the score at 70-68 in favor of MWSU, Fort Hays State drew a foul to enter the double bonus. However, Katie Wagner DeGarmo, who led the Tigers with 21 points, could not convert the second free throw attempt. As a result, the Griffons held on to secure their third top-10 win of the season, 70-69.
 
Western shot 26-for-58 (45%) and connected on 13 three-pointers in the contest. Bonilla finished with a team-leading 21 points while also collecting six assists, six rebounds, six steals and a block. Marie Sepp and Caron also finished in double-figure scoring with 14.
 
Missouri Western will conclude its four-game road stand against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers this Saturday. Tip-off from the UNK Health and Fitness Center in Kearney, Nebraska, is set for 2:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen).