HORNET MEN WIN IN OVERTIME OVER CENTRAL MISSOURI

December 10, 2011 -- Taylor Euler hit a running lay-up with 5.2 seconds to play as the Emporia State men's basketball team pulled out a 74-72 win over Central Missouri. The Hornets outshot the Mules .547 to .429 as overcame a UCM second half comeback to pull out the win.

ESU led by as much as seven in the first half and led 38-33 going into the break. This all came however, after ESU trailed 15-4 at one point in the early going. Central Missouri and ESU would both lead by four at one point under the five minute mark, but ended regulation in a 63-63 deadlock.

In overtime neither team would hold more than a two point lead as the OT saw four lead changes and four ties. With Central Missouri leading 72-70 Troy Pierce hit a lay-up to tie the game with 1:15 remaining. The Hornets then forced a Central Missouri offensive foul and Euler took a pass from Chris Sights to hit the game winning lay-up.

Sights led the way for the Hornets scoring 24 points and going three for three from behind the three point line. Sights also added a team leading six rebounds, five of which came on the defensive end. Antonio DiMaria hit a career high six three points to score 18 points. Euler added 12 points and four assists for the Hornets in the victory. Tola Lawal added nine points, three assists and three rebounds.

Notes:
The Hornets move to 6-0 when leading at halftime this season.
ESU shot .478 from behind the three point line hitting 11 of 23.
ESU outrebounded their opponent for the fifth time and have won every game where they have won the rebounding battle.
The Hornets only got to the free throw line eight times while the Mules shot 21 free throws.