Pittsburg State swept the Emporia State basketball teams on Wednesday at John Lance Arena in Pittsburg, Kan.
In the women’s game, PSU jumped out to an 11-2 lead and led 22-6 at the end of the first quarter on the way to a 72-56 victory over the Lady Hornets. ESU struggled in the first quarter shooting just 3-for-15 from the field. The teams were tied through the final 30 minutes of the game. ESU forced 17 Pitt State turnovers while committing just 10, yet the Gorillas outscored the Lady Hornets 5-2 in points off turnovers. ESU trailed by as many as 22 and fell behind 51-29 in the second half before cutting the deficit to 9 with less than three minutes to go, but the Gorillas scored the final seven points of the game to secure the victory. Head coach Brian Ostermann said the climb back from the early deficit was a challenge.
Senior guard Katie Horyna led the Lady Hornets with 16 points while Queen Ulabo chipped in 13 with 11 rebounds. ESU falls to 13-14 on the year with a 10-11 record in the MIAA.
In the men’s game, the Hornets dropped a tight 73-70 decision to Pitt State. The teams scrapped through a low-scoring 20 minutes to begin the game with ESU trailing 31-25 after one. The offenses took control in the second half with each team shooting over 50% from the field in the frame. The Gorillas rolled at the free throw line shooting 27-for-31 while the Hornets were just 17 of 23 at the line. Head coach Craig Doty talked about the what ESU needs to do to overcome that kind of free throw deficit.
Atavian Butler scored a career high 27 points while Alijah Comithier added 21 points with 10 rebounds. ESU falls to 18-11 and 11-10 in the MIAA. The Hornets wrap up the year Saturday in the Turnpike Tussle at Washburn Saturday. Coverage begins with the RV Doc Pregame Show at 12:30 p.m. on Mix 104.9. Listen online at kvoe.com/listen or via the Audacy app.
