Men's Basketball | 1/20/2012 11:50:00 AM
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Emporia State will start the second half of MIAA play against Northwest Missouri. It will be Military Appreciation Day in White Auditorium. All active duty personnel and veteran’s will receive free admission to the game.
LAST TIMEOUT
ESU erased an 11 point deficit in the second half, but came up shy in overtime in a 72-67 loss to #25 Fort Hays State. Troy Pierce led the way with 15 points and seven rebounds to go along with three assists. Chris Sights also had 15 points for the Hornets and led the way with six assists. Travis Dykman was two of three from the three point line and scored a career high 13 points.
THE COACHES
Shaun Vandiver is 8-8 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. He is 0-1 in his career against Northwest Missouri.
Ben McCollum is 35-36 in his third season at Northwest Missouri. He is 2-3 against the Hornets.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri is 13-3, 7-3 and set atop the MIAA standings. They are led by DeShaun Cooper who is averaging 13.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Jake Reinders is averaging 10.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 57th meeting between the two teams with the Bearcats holding a 33-23 overall advantage. The Hornets have won three of the last five meetings.
LAST TIME VS. NWMSU
ESU shot .500 from the field but could not overcome a 20-9 free throw difference in a 68-63 loss at NWMSU on Nov. 30, 2011. The first half saw only 35 total points scored while the two teams combined for 96 points in the second. 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.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will face Missouri Western to close out a three game homestand. Tip-off on Jan. 25 from White Auditorium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
