The Emporia State basketball teams split with Rogers State at White Auditorium in Emporia on Thursday. In the women’s game, the Lady Hornets used a 15-0 first quarter run to take the lead for good in a 73-49 pounding of the Hillcats. ESU led 23-7 after one and RSU never got closer than 12 the rest of the game. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for E-State. Head coach Brian Ostermann gave the defense the credit for the victory.
Freshman guard Elizabeth Tjaden scored in double figures for the third-straight game to lead the way with 15 points. She talked about how she got out of her shooting slump.
Despite turnovers being even with RSU committing 16 and the Lady Hornets giving it up 15 times, ESU (8-12, 3-8 MIAA) dominated in points off turnovers 20-5.
The men’s game was a physical and high-tempo affair, but Devin Conley missed a three to tie the game with six seconds to go in a 75-70 loss to the Hillcats. With ESU up 26-24 late in the first half, the Red & Navy scored 12 straight to build a double digit lead and led 42-32 at the break. Rogers State could only build the lead to 11 before ESU got back into it on a 10-3 run to slice it to 4. ESU got as close as one in the final minute but the Hillcats hit their last four free throws in the final 15 seconds to cinch up the win. Head coach Tom Billeter said the Hornets just didn’t get enough stops down the stretch.
The loss spoiled a career high 28 points for Karyiek Dixon on 13 of 16 shooting for the Hornets (16-7, 7-4 MIAA). Malik Edwards Jr. scored 17 while Conley added 13. ESU returns to action hosting Central Oklahoma Sunday. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. with the RV Doc Pregame Show at 1:00 p.m. on the Hornet Sports Network/Mix 104.9.
