Men's Basketball | 1/2/2012 4:00:00 PM
BACK IN ACTION
The Hornets return to action after a 14 day break as they travel to Southwest Baptist and open a two game road trip. Following this two game trip ESU will play five of their next six at home.
LAST TIMEOUT
Christian Simmons hit a layup at the buzzer to give Emporia State a 60-59 win over Truman on Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium. It was the second straight game for the Hornets that was decided by a lay-up that was hit under ten seconds. Lawal had a career high 27 points going five for five from the free throw line. Troy Pierce had his third double-double of the year as he finished with ten points and ten rebounds. Chris Sights also had double figures for the Hornets adding 12 points.
THE COACHES
Shaun Vandiver is 7-3 in his first year at ESU. The former NBA round draft pick spent the last ten years as an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level, most recently at Boise State University. As a player he led Hutchinson CC’s to the 1988 NJCAA National Championship before earning first-team All-Big 8 honors at Colorado.
Jeff Guiot is 145-77 in seven seasons at Southwest Baptist. He is 9-6 against ESU in his career.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Southwest Baptist is 6-6, 0-4 in the MIAA this season. They are led by Ryan Dougherty who is averaging 14.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Kyle Sloan is averaging 13.9 points per game while Preston Guiot is averaging 13.8 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 42nd meeting between the two teams with SBU holding a 25-16 overall advantage. ESU will be looking for their first win in Bolivar since the 2004 season.
LAST TIME VS. SW BAPTIST
ESU was outscored 15-6 in the final three minutes of the first half and that proved to be the difference in a 79-66 loss at Southwest Baptist on Feb. 8, 2011. Michael Tyler led ESU with 15 points, four rebounds and four steals and was joined in double figures by Matt Boswell with 13 and Jarvis Nichols with ten points.
UP NEXT
ESU will close out their two game road trip on Jan. 4 at #6 Missouri Southern. Tip-off for the match-up is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Joplin, Mo.
