The Emporia State women’s basketball team stormed back from eight down with less than five minutes to play to knock off No. 8 seed Northeastern State 46-44 in the first round of the MIAA Tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Both teams struggled offensively throughout the game finishing under 30% from the field. NSU sprinted out to a 15-8 lead on an 8-0 run at the end of the first quarter and the RiverHawks held onto a 22-17 lead at the half as the No. 9 seed Lady Hornets missed 11 of 12 shots going into the break. NSU went in front eight with just under five minutes to go when Katiya Casey drilled a corner 3-pointer to start what turned into a 12-2 E-State run to end the game. Casey had eight points on the run and said she knew she was on when that shot went in.
Head coach MJ Baker said Casey was the spark ESU needed.
ESU (15-14) was led by Gracie Gilpin’s 14 points while Macey Gandee scored 11 with nine rebounds, five steals, and five blocked shots. The Lady Hornets return to action to take on No. 1 seed Central Missouri in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Tip-off is set for noon on Mix 104.9.
