Emporia State split a doubleheader with Newman at Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita on Saturday.
The Lady Hornets controlled the first 20 minutes of the game. After allowing the Jets to hit the game-opening 3-pointer, ESU scored 14 of the next 16 and led 21-8 at the end of the quarter. ESU then ended the half on a 13-3 run to lead 36-18 at the half. The Navy & Red started the second half on an 11-2 run to get back into the game but the Lady Hornets built the double-digit lead back to 54-41 through three. The Jets then ripped off the first 12 points of the fourth quarter and got as close at one but could never tie. Gracie Gilpin and Katie Horyna knocked down key free throws down the stretch and ESU made just enough stops to earn the win and keep their MIAA Tournament hopes alive. Head coach Brian Ostermann said the Lady Hornets (10-16, 5-12 MIAA) were great in the first half.
Gracie Gilpin scored a career high 23 points for her second-straight game. She said overcoming adversity has brought this team together.
In the men’s game, the teams traded big shots down the stretch but the Jets won Senior Day 89-85 in a pivotal contest for the MIAA standings. Newman jumped out to a 7-0 lead but the Hornets quickly got back into the game to lead with 9:30 to go in the half 23-20. NU used a 10-0 run to take the lead and shot 53% from the field in the first to lead 46-40 at the break. ESU never had the lead in the second half but traded huge shots back and forth down the stretch and cut it to two with under 30 seconds to go, but NU hit free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Head coach Tom Billeter praised his team’s effort, but said the execution wasn’t high enough to win on the road in the MIAA.
ESU (9-17, 6-11 MIAA) was led by Chris Harris with a career high 21 points. Karyiek Dixon had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Hornets return home for their final home game of the year to host Missouri Western Wednesday. Pregame coverage begins at 5:00 p.m. on the Hornet Sports Network/Mix 104.9.
