The Emporia State basketball teams split their doubleheader with Missouri Western at White Auditorium in Emporia on Wednesday.
In the women’s game, Missouri Western ended the game on a 14-3 run over the final five minutes to stun the Lady Hornets 69-67. The majority of the game was played within two possessions with ESU taking a 42-40 lead into the break. Western scored nine straight to take a five point lead in the third quarter, but the Lady Hornets replied with an 18-4 surge to take a 64-55 lead with 4:38 to go, but ESU would get just three more points the rest of the way. Katie Horyna scored 22 points while Jayla Cornelius added 19, but Missouri Western grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to the Lady Hornets’ five and outscored them 15-2 on second chance points while E-State (9-18, 6-12 MIAA) finished just 9 of 17 from the free throw line. The loss clinches the first losing record at White Auditorium for ESU women’s basketball since 1995-96 as ESU finishes 6-7 at White Auditorium.
Emporia State sizzled offensively in the men’s game on the way to a 95-85 victory over Western. The game started quickly with both teams shooting well in the first half but a late Justin Mack 3-pointer gave ESU a 49-43 edge through 20 minutes. ESU hit their first eight threes of the game and finished 10-for-11 outside the arc in the first half. ESU used a spurt at the end of the first half and to start the second half to score 17 points in a row and at one point 22 of 23 points in the game in a span of over five minutes. Western made several runs including a 9-0 charge to cut the deficit to single digits but they would never get closer than seven down the stretch. The win gave head coach Tom Billeter his 500th career victory. Parker Day scored 24 points and hit all three of his trifectas in the game. ESU (10-17, 7-11 MIAA) finished 32-for-52 from the field and hit 16 of 23 3-pointers in the game. ESU’s total points, field goal percentage, number of 3-pointers, and 3-point percentage were all season highs as the Hornets as ESU had five players score in double figures.
The Hornets wrap up the season and play for an MIAA Tournament bid Saturday when they face Northwest Missouri at Bearcat Arena. Pregame coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. with tip-off set for 1:30 p.m. for the doubleheader on the Hornet Sports Network/Mix 104.9.
