The Emporia State women’s basketball team stayed within two possessions for most of the first 30 minutes of their season opener, but #1 Minnesota State-Mankato pulled away in the fourth for a 99-74 victory over the Lady Hornets at the St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo. on Friday. ESU started hot with a 9-2 run to take a 15-8 lead in the first quarter, but MSU answered with a 10-1 spurt to lead 24-20 after the first quarter. Each team had the lead in the second as MSU led 43-38 at the break. Each team scored 21 in the third, but MSU finally found the knockout blow with a 27-5 run the fourth that put them up for good. Head coach Brian Ostermann said he was happy with how the team battled and wants to see the same effort from the team on Saturday.
Gracie Gilpin led the way with 18 points for ESU. The Lady Hornets were outrebounded 53-39 in the game and committed 29 turnovers, their most in a game since 2008. E-State (0-1) returns to action tomorrow back at the Civic Arena against Sioux Falls. Coverage will begin immediately after ESU football on the Hornet Sports Network.
