The #24 Emporia State basketball team nailed 16 3-pointers on the way to an 89-64 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State at White Auditorium on Wednesday night. The Aggies led early before an 11-0 run by ESU gave the Hornets a 16-9 lead in the first half, but the Aggies battled back by scoring seven in a row to tie it at 16-all. The Hornets then answered with nine straight and then gradually built a 52-37 halftime lead. OPSU cut the deficit to six on a 16-5 run in the second half, but ESU put away the Aggies with a late 17-3 run with just over five minutes to go. Owen Long led the Hornets with 26 points while nailing a career high seven 3-pointers with six assists against just one turnover. Alijah Comithier went 5-for-7 from outside the arc on the way to 23 points with five rebounds and five assists. Head coach Craig Doty said that defensive stops were key to the team’s late run.
Senior forward Drew Tennial made his debut after recovering from a dislocated kneecap in the preseason by scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds. He said his extra effort helped him recover.
ESU improves to 5-1 on the year and wins their fifth straight game. The Hornets return to action Sunday hosting Indianapolis at White Auditorium. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. with coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Mix 104.9. Listen online at KVOE.com/listen or via the Audacy app.
