Freshman center Makenzie McDaniel scored a career high 22 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in a 73-62 win over Lincoln at Jason Gym in Jefferson City, Mo. on Saturday. ESU never trailed after scoring the first nine points of the game as part of an 13-2 run to open the game while LU missed their first seven shots. The Blue Tigers reeled in the Lady Hornets late in the quarter to trail 19-12 after one. The teams split the second quarter 18 points apiece but Lincoln didn’t go away trimming the deficit in the second half as close as one point in the third after two quick threes, but senior guard Katie Horyna scored 11 points in the quarter to keep the Lady Hornets on top. Senior guard Macy Smith hit a three to end the third quarter to put ESU up by ten and then one to open the fourth to extend the lead. Lincoln never got closer than seven in the final frame. Head coach Brian Ostermann said the Smith threes were huge.
Smith said with no band at the gym and no opposing student section with Lincoln on Christmas break, it was important for the team to bring its own energy.
Horyna scored 15 points for ESU while Smith matched her career high with eight. The Lady Hornets (6-5, 1-1 MIAA) return to action January 2, 2025 at home against Central Missouri. Pregame coverage begins at 5:00 p.m. with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. on the Hornet Sports Network/Mix 104.9.
