The Emporia State basketball teams split on Saturday with Rogers State at the Claremore Expo Center in Claremore, Okla. on Saturday.
In the women’s game, the Lady Hornets held on for a 79-77 victory to sweep the season series from RSU. After an 8-all tie, the Hillcats used an 8-0 run to lead 16-8 midway through the first and eventually led by as many as 11 in the first quarter before settling for a 26-17 lead after one. Down seven in the second, ESU responded with an 11-3 run to get back into the game and the teams were tied at 38 at the break. ESU shot over 55% from the field in each of the last three quarters of the game to hold off RSU for the win. Faith Paramore finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds while Gracie Gilpin scored 18 points. ESU shot a season best 53% from the 3-point arc in the game and connected on 18 of 22 free throws. ESU improves to 10-11 overall and 7-8 in the MIAA with the win.
In the men’s game, Rogers State held off the Hornets 83-76 to win their Homecoming game. The teams traded baskets early and neither team had a lead of more than five points in the first half. The Hillcats led 37-34 at the break, but ESU started the second half on a 6-2 run to take their last lead of the game at 40-39. RSU answered with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes. Trailing 58-49 with just over 10 minutes to go, ESU made another push with a 10-2 run capped by a Kaden Evans 3-pointer. While celebrating with the bench, Evans was assessed a technical foul and the two free throws jumpstarted a 9-2 Hillcat run. The Hornets sliced the lead as low as two but could never tie the game in the final five minutes. Owen Long led ESU with 20 points while hitting five three’s and Atavian Butler added 17 points. ESU drops to 14-9 overall and 7-8 in the MIAA.
ESU returns home to host Northwest Missouri Wednesday. Coverage begins with the RV Doc Pregame Show on Mix 104.9. Listen online at kvoe.com/listen or via the Audacy app.
