The Emporia State men’s basketball team saw their comeback come up short at their home opener at White Auditorium on Wednesday. The Hornets trailed by as many as 21 and got as close as two but fell 77-72 to William Jewell. ESU gave up runs of 11-0 and 10-2 in the first half and trailed 40-31 at the break while missing all seven of their three’s. The Cardinals built the lead to 65-44 with just over 11 minutes to go when the Hornets fought back with a 20-1 run that included 15-straight points. The run spanned over seven minutes and brought the Hornets within 66-64 with just under five minutes to go, but ESU couldn’t get any closer. Head coach Tom Billeter said it was the team’s defense that got them down early.
Devin Conley led four Hornets in double figures with 13 points. Treyvon Taylor scored a career-high 11 and Jack Weigus scored the first 10 points of his collegiate career in defeat. Jewell shot 56% from the field while the hornets finished at 54%. ESU (1-2) returns to action in a neutral-site contest Saturday against former MIAA foe Lincoln. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with tip-off at 12:00 p.m. on Mix 104.9.
