FORT HAYS, Kan. - The Lincoln Blue Tigers are still searching.
Both the men's and women's basketball teams look to find their first Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association victory when Lincoln travels to Fort Hays State for a doubleheader today.
The Lincoln women (3-10, 0-6 MIAA) kick things off at 1:30 p.m. against Fort Hays State (10-2, 4-2 MIAA).
It will mark just the third true road game for the Blue Tigers this season, having gone 0-2 up to this point.
The last time these teams met was in the MIAA Tournament, as Fort Hays State won a 70-57 decision in the first round last March.
Jennifer Rosado has emerged as Lincoln's go-to scorer, leading the Blue Tigers with 11.8 points per game. Hunter Yoakum is next with 10.5 ppg. Angela Randall scores 9.2 ppg but leads the team in rebounds (6.0), assists (2.1) and steals (2.0).
Kate Lehman is undoubtedly the star for Fort Hays State. She leads the Tigers in scoring (16.2 ppg), rebounding (12.0 rpg) and blocks (58). Katelyn Edwards isn't far off, averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Chelsea Mason rounds out three Tigers in double figures with 13.5 ppg.
III
The task doesn't get any easier for the Lincoln men.
The Blue Tigers (2-12, 0-6 MIAA) follow the women's game with a 3:30 p.m. tilt against Fort Hays State (11-3, 3-3).
Fort Hays State is the defending MIAA regular-season champion. With a .500 league record so far, a repeat might be a stretch. But that doesn't mean the Tigers are any slouch.
Fort Hays State went undefeated in the non-conference portion of the schedule, and only lost by 17 at Kansas in an exhibition contest.
The Tigers are on a little bit of a roll lately. After dropping their first three league games, they've now won three in a row.
Dwayne Brunson paces three Tigers in double figures at 16.8 points ppg. Craig Nicholson tosses in 15.9 points while leading the MIAA in assists (107). Carson Konrade adds 14.5 ppg.
Mike Smith is the guy for Lincoln, averaging a team-high 16.1 points. He's reached double figures in 11 of Lincoln's 14 games. Clay Crouch adds 13.1 ppg while Joshua Buie throws in 12.9 ppg. Aaron Spudich pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game to lead the Blue Tigers.
Lincoln has a week off after today's tilt, as the Blue Tigers travel to Missouri Southern next Saturday.