For the second-straight year, the Emporia State men’s basketball team fell in a thriller to Wayne State College to open the year 80-76 at the MWSU Fieldhouse in the Hillyard Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. on Friday. ESU trailed early but rallied to lead 45-44 at the half. Both defenses turned up the intensity in the second, but ESU trailed 76-68 with 4:22 to play. The Hornets rallied for an 8-0 run to tie the game with 31 seconds to go on an Olafur Styrmisson jumper before the Wildcats took the lead back with 14 seconds on the clock. Dallas Bear missed a game-winning three with four seconds to go and the Cats hit two late free throws to seal the win. Andrew Pengel scored 22 points in his Hornet debut to lead four in double figures. There were 12 ties and 15 lead changes in the game. ESU (0-1) returns to action Saturday to face St. Cloud State at 2:00 p.m. Coverage will begin immediately following Kansas State football on Country 101.7.
ESU Basketball Falls in Tight Contest with Wayne State to Open Year
Emporia State Power E logo. Courtesy ESU Athletics.
