The #20 Emporia State men’s basketball team was outrebounded by 10 and fell 78-73 to #8 UNC Pembroke in their season opener and their first game of the SCB Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla. Saturday night. The Hornets played without forward Peyton Rogers-Schmidt who missed the game with a knee injury and were outrebounded 41-31 and were outscored 21-7 in second-chance points in the game. The Braves attacked the lack of inside presence and dominated in the paint outscoring ESU in paint points 56-34 while shooting 52.3% from the field. The Hornets were poised to take a big lead into the half when an Atavian Butler dunk made it 40-30 ESU with just under 90 seconds to play, but UNCP ended the half on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to two. The Hornets led 48-42 four minutes into the second half when the Braves ripped off a 16-2 run to take the lead for good. Solomon Oraegbu led ESU with 21 points while Owen Long added 18. Alijah Comithier picked up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Hornets return to action Sunday as they play Virginia Union. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Coverage begins with the RV Doc Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on Mix 104.9. Listen online at kvoe.com/listen or via the Audacy app.
#20 Hornet Cagers Fall to #8 UNC Pembroke in Season Opener
Courtesy ESU Athletics
