The Hays Lady Indians shot 50 percent from the field on the way to beating the Liberal Lady Redskins 59-49 Friday night in the Big House. Hays was 10-14 shooting in the first half thanks to lay ups against Liberal’s full court and half court defense.
Liberal jumped out early against Hays leading 11-6 buoyed by the hot hand of Kylie Rhine early on. Hays buried a 30 footer at the buzzer to end the third quarter making the score 11-11 after one. The Lady Indians led LHS 26-18 at the half. Liberal quickly cut into the lead early in the second half making it 29-27 Hays. But HHS led 40-33 after three. Hays led 42-33 early in the fourth quarter. Liberal rallied making the score 42-41 with 5:19 to play. Hays would go up 44-41 on an O-board and put back and 47-41 on a three pointer. Liberal cut the lead to 47-44 with 2:20 to play on a Hailey Contreras three pointer. Hays out paced LHS 12-5 the rest of the way for the win.
Liberal shot 40 percent from the field but Hays shot 50 percent. Hays was 19-26 at the foul line and Liberal was 11-15 as three Liberal posts fought foul trouble. LHS was 6-18 from three and HHS was 4-9. Liberal committed 19 turnovers and Hays had 16. Hays out rebounded Liberal 22-21.
Hailey Contreras was Epic Touch Player of the Game with 16 points. Shamari Lewis scored 10 and grabbed nine rebounds.
Hays is 11-5 and 5-0 in the WAC. They win in Liberal for the first time since 2013 and sweep Liberal for the first time since 2013. Liberal loses at home for the first time falling to 7-1 in the Big House with an overall record of 12-6 and 3-2 in the WAC. Liberal plays at Great Bend Tuesday night at 6pm with Redskin Pre-game at 5:45 on 1270 and 92.3.
