Women's Basketball | 1/17/2012 3:59:00 PM
HOME AGAIN
The #20 Lady Hornets wrap up the first half of MIAA play when they take on Ft. Hays State. After playing eight of the last 12 games on the road, ESU will play six of the next eight games in the friendly confines of White Auditorium.
LAST TIME OUT
The #18 Lady Hornets cut a 15 point deficit down to five with 38 seconds left but couldn't finish the comeback in a 73-66 loss to #17 Washburn. ESU would hit just one field goal over the first 8:18 of the second half but were able to stay within range thanks to a nine of 11 effort from the free throw line. WU took their biggest lead of the night at 59-44 with 7:54 left. A 20-10 run by ESU would cut the WU lead to 69-64 with 36.9 seconds remaining. Heather Robben led ESU with 27 points but Kelsey Balcom was the only other Lady Hornet in double figures with 11 points. Robben's 27 points are the most scored by a Lady Hornet against WU since Casey Henningsen scored 27 in a 61-59 overtime win in the 2006 Regional Championship game.
THE COACHES
Jory Collins is 31-12 in his second year as the head coach of the Lady Hornets and is 4-4 vs. Top 25 teams. This is his 11th season on the Lady Hornet coaching staff and ESU has advanced to the NCAA tournament in eight of his ten previous seasons. He is 2-0 against Ft. Hays State.
Tony Hobson is 53-46 in his fourth year at FHSU and 264-86 overall in his 11th year as a head coach. He is 0-7 against ESU.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Ft. Hays State is 14-3 overall, 6-3 in the MIAA. They lead the league in rebounding and turnover margin and are second in the MIAA in scoring defense. Katelyn Edwards averages 15.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to rank fourth and third in the MIAA respectively.
THE SERIES
The Lady Hornets lead the all-time series 40-26 and have won a series best 13 straight from the Tigers. ESU has won nine straight against FHSU in White Auditorium, with the last loss coming in 1995-96. The Tigers have not defeated the Lady Hornets with both teams as members of the MIAA.
LAST TIME VS. FT. HAYS STATE
Alli Volkens scored 19 points with 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals to lead Emporia State to a 54-42 victory over Ft. Hays State in White Auditorium. The Lady Hornets jumped out to a 16-2 lead with 12:42 left in the first half. The Tigers answered with an 11-0 run of their own to pull within 16-13 with 8:01 remaining. ESU then closed the half on an 11-0 run to take a 27-13 lead to the lockerrooms. FHSU would get within six points in the second half before ESU pulled away for the 12 point win.
UP NEXT
The #20 Lady Hornets open the second half of MIAA play against Northwest Missouri on Sunday, January 22 in White Auditorium. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. ESU is playing on Sunday due to the Flint Hills League Shootout in White Auditorium this week.
