By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Through the first three games of the season, Fort Hays State University women's basketball coach Tony Hobson finds himself coaching a little differently. The Tigers, with plenty of depth and returning players, have opened 3-0 with big victories against McPherson College, Bethany College and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

On Tuesday, the Tigers play host to Newman University (1-2) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Game time is 7 p.m. The contest opens a three-game week for FHSU, including two games this weekend at the Lady Blues tournament at Washburn University in Topeka.

"We have got a veteran team," Hobson said. "...I tend to be a little bit more patient, when I have somebody out there that I know, No. 1, that they are giving maximum effort."

Senior guard Traci Keyser is one of several players who has started for multiple years or been in the program at least three seasons.

"Working together as a team, we all know each other's strengths and try to utilize those the best that we can," Keyser said. "It was a lot of fun (Saturday against NWOSU). We got after it at the beginning and had some enthusiasm out there on the court."

Fort Hays averages 84.3 points per game, including 19.3 points a contest from sophomore center Kate Lehman. In the 93-53 victory versus NWOSU on Saturday, Fort Hays had 20 assists on 29 made baskets and moved the ball effectively in the full court and half court. The Tigers have recorded an assist 69 percent of the time on made baskets this winter. Last year, the rate was 53 percent.

"We have a lot of talent, and when we utilize that mentally as well as physically, I think we are going to be a great, dominating force," Keyser said.