Central Oklahoma spoiled a return to White Auditorium for the Emporia State basketball teams Wednesday night.
Central won the women’s game 74-71. Emporia State closed out the game on an 8-0 but it was not enough to overcome a 14 point 4th quarter deficit.
Emporia State Coach Toby Wynn said it was the 2nd and 3rd quarters that proved costly.
Ehlaina Hartman scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Emporia States offense. Karsen Schultz added 13 points.
Central Oklahoma was led by Kelsey Johnsons’ double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Hornets fall to 9-9 for the season and 4-8 in the MIAA.
Central Oklahoma won the men’s game 88-83. The game featured 9 lead changes and 6 ties. Emporia State led by 10 points with 11:47 to play in the game. Central would use an 18-12 run in the final 6 minutes, including making 4 of 4 free throws in the final 9 seconds to seal the win.
Tray Buchanan hit a 3 point shot with 9 seconds to play to get Emporia State within 1 at 84-83. A game-tying 3 was off the mark with 3 seconds to play.
Emporia State was led in scoring by Tray Buchanan with 32 points, Jumah’Ri Turner added 17 points, Mayuom Buom finished with 12 points and Kaden Evans added 11 points.
Central was led by Isaiah Wade with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Emporia State Coach Craig Doty said it was the play of Wade that did them in.
The Emporia State men are now 14-5 for the season and 9-4 in the MIAA.
The Emporia State women and men return to White Auditorium Sunday when they host Newman.
