ESU FALLS ON THE ROAD AT NORTHWEST MISSOURI

November 30, 2011 -- The Emporia State men's basketball team shot .500 from the field but could not overcome a 20-9 free throw difference in a 68-63 loss at Northwest Missouri State. The first half of the game saw only 35 total points scored while the two teams combined for 96 points in the second half.

Northwest Missouri and Emporia State both shot below .300 from the field in a sloppy first half that finished with an 18-17 Bearcat lead. In the second period ESU shot .690 from the field and scored 46 points, but NWMSU went 17-20 from the free throw line while ESU only hit four free shots. The Bearcats did not score from the field after the 3:39 mark, but hit nine of ten from the line to close out the victory.

Derrell Conner led the Hornets with 19 points while Tola Lawal added 15 points on five of seven shooting from the field. Lawal added a game high five assists while Conner had a game high three steals. Troy Pierce added all 12 of his points during the second half while Antonio DiMaria led ESU with six rebounds.

ESU will return to action on Dec. 3 when they travel to Missouri Western for a scheduled 3:30 p.m. tip-off.