The Emporia State basketball teams split their doubleheader with Arkansas-Fort Smith at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Ark. on Friday. The games were moved up 24 hours due to an impending snowstorm expected to hit on Saturday.
In the women’s game, the Lady Hornets survived a poor start to beat the Lady Lions 77-71. UAFS started the game with a 9-0 run but ESU blitzed back with 13-straight. Katiya Casey and Gracie Gilpin combined for 32 of ESU’s 38 at the half as the Lady Hornets led 38-37 at the break. The Lions continued their comeback into the third quarter with a 13-2 run that took seven minutes spanning halftime to take the lead, but Gracie Gilpin took over late on the way to a career-high 31 points while connecting on a career-high seven three-pointers. Gilpin said she loved shooting at the Stubblefield Center.
Head coach MJ Baker said there was plenty to work on, but said that ESU just found a way to win on the road.
Katiya Casey chipped in a career-high 17 points and three 3-pointers. ESU (10-9, 4-6 MIAA) was outscored 25-10 in second chance points but, with an all-new starting lineup, outscored the UAFS bench 58-18.
In the men’s game, the #16 Lions answered an early Hornet three-point play with a 21-3 run and cruised to an 83-59 win over the Hornets. UAFS had an 11-0 run later in the frame and a 9-2 run late in the frame to go up 43-20 at the half. ESU sliced it down early in the second half, but the Lions burst in front 15-3 to go up 36 with ten minutes to go and the Hornets never threatened. Head coach Tom Billeter said the team started the game poorly.
Chris Harris led the Hornets with 11 points. The Lions outscored the Hornets 21-2 off the fast break in the game. ESU (7-12, 3-7 MIAA) returns to the road on Thursday visiting Rogers State. The doubleheader tips off at 5:30 p.m.
