The Emporia State basketball teams fell in a sweep to Fort Hays State at White Auditorium on Thursday.
In the women’s game, #6 Fort Hays State pulled away late for an 82-64 victory over the Lady Hornets. ESU started the game on a 9-2 run and led until midway through the second frame when the Tigers surged in front thanks to a 16-3 run and led 35-28 at the half. ESU won the third and trimmed the lead to three at the end of the frame and were as close as two in the final frame, but couldn’t get closer. Head coach MJ Baker said Tiger free throws late cost E-State.
Fort Hays State outscored ESU 30-15 in the final period. ESU finished 4-for-22 from outside the arc. Gracie Gilpin led ESU (7-7, 1-4 MIAA) with 18 points.
The Hornet men came up short in a 73-70 defeat to the Tigers. The first half was close throughout and played with in a two-possession margin for the majority of it before the Tigers took an eight-point lead with four minutes to go in the first half thanks to a 9-0 run. The Hornets were able to answer with an 11-2 run over the final four minutes to lead 32-31 going into the intermission. The first half featured two ties and 12 lead changes. Fort Hays State took the lead back with an 11-2 run out of halftime and the Hornets never had the lead again. ESU trimmed the deficit as close as two late but never tied the game. Head coach Tom Billeter said the team continues to suffer from self-inflicted mistakes.
Chris Harris had a career-high 24 points to lead the Hornets. ESU (4-10, 0-5 MIAA) outscored the Tigers 14-7 on fast breaks but Hays countered with 18 points off turnovers to just seven for the Hornets. ESU returns to action Saturday hosting Nebraska-Kearney. Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. on Mix 104.9.
