Women's Basketball | 2/17/2012 12:24:00 PM
PRE-PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE
The #20 Lady Hornets will take on Lincoln in a pre-President's Day contest in Jefferson City, Mo.
LAST TIME OUT
In a defensive battle of top 20 teams, #20 Emporia State was held to their lowest point total in 16 years in a 49-42 loss at #8 Pittsburg State. It is just the second time in school history the Lady Hornets have held an opponent to under 50 points and lost. ESU led 24-20 at the half thanks to nine points and five rebounds from Merissa Quick. She was four of nine from the field in the opening 20 minutes while the rest of the team shot six of 20 from the field. ESU led 26-20 just 23 seconds into the second half after Quick tipped in a bucket. The Lady Hornets led 34-32 with 10:51 remaining on a pair of Heather Robben free throws. The Gorillas then went on an 8-0 run to take a 40-34 lead with 7:49 left. The Lady Hornets shot just .212 in the second half, going seven of 33 from the field. Quick led ESU with 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. She was joined in double figures by Robben with 11 points.
THE COACHES
Jory Collins is 37-15 in his second year as the head coach of the Lady Hornets and is 5-5 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 3-0 against Lincoln.
Katie Vaughn is 28-47 in her third year at Lincoln. She was 56-37 as head coach at Moberly Area CC. She played at UCM from 1998-2002.
SCOUTING THE BLUE TIGERS
Lincoln is 14-9 on the year and 8-9 in the MIAA. They have qualified for the MIAA Tournament for the first time since 1986 and have won a program best eight conference games. Vivian Essuon is averaging 15.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. She is joined in double figures by Arriana Walker at 11.5 points and Freddie Sims at 11.4 point per game.
THE SERIES
The Lady Hornets lead the all-time series 17-2 and have won 11 straight against the Blue Tigers. ESU has won all seven meetings in Jefferson City, with the two wins by Lincoln both coming in White Auditorium.
LAST TIME VS. LINCOLN
Kelsey Balcom was eight of nine from the field for 19 points to lead #18 Emporia State to an 81-68 victory over Lincoln in White Auditorium. ESU jumped out to a 12-2 lead to open the game and would lead by 14 with 2:14 left in the half. The Blue Tigers ended the half on a 9-3 run to go the locker rooms down just 38-30. The Lady Hornets would use a 9-2 run to take their biggest lead at 61-41 with 13:08 left in the game. Balcom was joined in double figures by Heather Robben with 17 points and Rachel Hanf with 12 points. Both Robben and Hanf had seven rebounds and six assists each.
UP NEXT
The #20 Lady Hornets will play their final home game of the season against #15 Washburn on Wednesday. Tip-off from White Auditorium is set for 5:30 p.m. with the doors set to open at 4:30 p.m.
