The top-seed Central Missouri women’s basketball team ended the game on a 24-5 run to eliminate No. 9 seed Emporia State 79-50 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. UCM hit three early 3-pointers en route to a 10-0 lead, but ESU answered with a 15-5 run to end the quarter down 20-15. UCM used a 9-0 run to rebuild the lead in the second quarter and led 38-26 at halftime. ESU was down 11 at the end of the third quarter, but the Jennies put the game away by outscoring the Big Gold 23-5 in the final frame. UCM finished a season’s best 14-for-27 from outside the arc for a season-high 52% from outside the arc. The Lady Hornets shot 37% from the field and were just 3 of 16 from the arc. Graduate guard Kaitlyn Sanders led the Black & Gold with 20 points in her final game while Vanessa Coleman scored 10. Coleman said UCM’s size was a factor.
Sanders, 1000-point scorer Gracie Gilpin, and Macey Gandee played their final games in an ESU uniform. Head coach MJ Baker said she was thankful for her seniors.
E-State wraps up the season 15-15, ending a streak of three-straight losing seasons.
