Men's Basketball | 1/2/2012 4:04:00 PM
December 31, 2011 – The Emporia State men’s basketball team shot .530 from the field, but could not overcome 17 turnovers in a 82-80 loss at Southwest Baptist. It marks the first time the Hornets have lost a game decided by three points or less this season.
ESU trailed jumped out to a 5-2 lead early before Southwest Baptist jumped out to their biggest lead of the game at 12-5. ESU would answer and tie the game up at 16 apiece. The two teams would then battle back and forth with no team holding greater than a three point lead as SBU lead 38-36 going into the half.
ESU came out the break on fire as they jumped out to their biggest lead at 52-45 with 14:27 to play in the game. SBU would battle back and finally retake the lead at 74-72 with 3:33 to go in the contest. With ESU leading 80-78, SBU would score the final four points from the free throw line to escape with the victory.
Tola Lawal led all scorers with 19 points on the afternoon. Taylor Euler was three of six from behind the three point line and added 16 points to the Hornets effort. Chris Sights was four of eight from the field and had 14 points. Antonio DiMaria led the way on the glass for ESU as he had six rebounds to go along with his 10 points.
ESU will be back in action on Jan. 4 when they travel to Missouri Southern for a 7:30 p.m. scheduled tip-off.
Notes:
SBU scored 20 points off Hornet turnovers
It was ESU’s first loss in a game decided by three points or less this season
It was only ESU’s second loss in December and second loss on a Saturday in five tries
