The #20 Emporia State men’s basketball team shot 61% from the field and outscored Truman State 21-4 at the free throw line on the way to a 91-74 victory over the Bulldogs at White Auditorium Wednesday night. The teams played level early until the Hornets used a 9-2 run to take a 21-13 lead with just over 11 minutes to go in the first half. TSU answered with a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to two, but ESU then rattled off 11 points in a row to lead by 13 at the final media break of the half. ESU pushed the lead as high as 16 before settling for a 44-33 halftime lead. Truman State fought back into the game with an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 46-41 less than four minutes into the second. TSU cut the lead to four twice but could never get closer. E-State used an 8-0 run going into the final media timeout to push the lead back to double-figures and TSU never challenged again. Alijah Comithier led the Hornets with a season-high 26 points to go along with five rebounds while matching his career high with five assists. Atavian Butler added 24, Owen Long scored 17 while Solomon Oraegbu tallied 15. The Hornets shot 61 percent from the field while hitting 8 of 15 3-pointers and shooting 21-for-25 at the line. The Hornets had 13 assists against just five turnovers. Comithier said the team is limiting turnovers by working well together as a team.
Head coach Craig Doty says the team utilized its skill and athleticism to dominate the scoring at the free throw line.
Emporia State improves to 4-1 and is on a four-game winning streak. The Hornets return to action Wednesday to host Oklahoma Panhandle State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the RV Doc Pregame Show on Mix 104.9. Listen online at kvoe.com/listen or via the Audacy app.
