December 10, 2016-The top ranked Lady Hornets scored ten of the last 13 points but could not get the final shot to fall as they fell 54-51 at Ft. Hays State on Saturday afternoon in Hays, Kan. It is the second straight year Emporia State lost their first game of the year at Ft. Hays State as the #1 team in the nation.
The Lady Hornets jumped out to an 8-0 lead and led 16-12 after the first quarter. Emporia State led 25-21 with 2:45 left in the half on a Jacee Kramer three-pointer. Leggette Tatyana would score the final six points of the half for the Tigers as Ft. Hays State took a 27-25 lead into the break.
The defenses controlled the first part of the third quarter with the only scoring in the first six minutes of the period were a layup by Megan Holloway for Emporia State and a lay up by Hays Legette for Ft. State. Kelly Moten would score her first points of the game at 2:38 left in the third to pull the Lady Hornets within 33-32. The Tigers then closed the quarter on a 9-2 run, getting seven of the points from the free throw line, to take a 42-34 lead into the final period.
Ft. Hays State led 51-41 with 3:51 left when the Lady Hornets made their final push. Kyrstie Miller hit a three to pull within 51-44 with 3:37 left and Kelly Moten followed with a three to cut the lead to four with 2:32 remaining. Moten then hit two free throws with 1:42 left to cut the lead to 51-49. On the next possession Kacey Kennett just beat the shot clock to hit a three-pointer with 1:13 left to give Ft. Hays State a 54-49 lead. Moten hit two free throws with 59.3 seconds left to get the Lady Hornets within three points.
Jacee Kramer got a steal with 44 seconds left and the Lady Hornets could not convert. Jessica Wayne then picked up another steal with 21 seconds left and Emporia State would get two more three-point attempts in the final ten seconds but could not convert as the Lady Hornets lost their first game of the year.
Miller led Emporia State with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Addie Lackey joined her in double figures with ten as the Lady Hornets hit just 15 of 57 shots from the field. They held the Tigers to just 14 of 49 shots from the field, as Ft. Hays State outscored Emporia State 22-16 from the free throw line.
Emporia State will now concentrate on finals during the week before returning to action on Saturday against Lincoln. Tip-off from White Auditorium is set for 5:30 p.m. following winter commencement for Emporia State.
