WICHITA, Kan. - Despite a career-high performance from Aaliyah Smith and a late-game rally, the Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team fell to No. 3 Fort Hays State 74-66 Friday afternoon at the Newman Classic in Fugate Gymnasium.
 
The Greyhounds (1-3, 0-0 Lone Star) battled throughout the contest against the undefeated Tigers (3-0, 0-0 MIAA), ultimately tying the game late in the fourth quarter before Fort Hays State pulled away in the final minutes.
 
Fort Hays State established control early, taking a 21-15 lead after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 34-32 by halftime. The Tigers maintained their momentum in the third quarter, outscoring ENMU 20-17 to take a 54-49 lead into the final period.
 
The Greyhounds mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter with a Hannah Jensen three-pointer with 3:20 remaining that cut the deficit to just four points at 66-62. Moments later, Nataya Lockett recorded a steal off FHSU's Brooke Loewe, helping ENMU tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
 
However, the third-ranked Tigers responded with poise, closing out the game with a decisive run to secure the 74-66 victory.
 
Smith delivered a standout performance for the Greyhounds, recording a career-high in points while also contributing defensively with a steal at the 4:47 mark of a crucial stretch.
 
Tatiana Platonova also made aided the Hounds with 14 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals while teammate Chloe Dallas finished with a ten-point, ten-rebound double-double that she recorded before halftime. Dallas did not return to the game in the second half.
 
Fort Hays State was led by Talexa Weeter, who finished with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line. Olivia Mortensen added 17 points and six rebounds, while Brooke Loewe contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a near triple-double effort.
 
The Greyhounds will look to bounce back quickly as they face tournament host Newman University tomorrow at 12 p.m. MT.