Men's Basketball | 2/18/2012 6:40:00 PM
Box Score
February 18, 2012 -- The Emporia State men's basketball team took a one game lead for the final spot in the MIAA Tournament with a 62-56 win on the road at Lincoln. The win puts the Hornets one game up on both Lincoln and Truman for the final spot in the tourney with two games remaining.
The Hornets took a 9-7 lead at the 13:29 mark in the first half and would never relinquish that leading by as much as 15 late in the first half. ESU took a 35-23 lead into the break after scoring nine of the final 12 points. The Blue Tigers would get as close as three points with 10:37 to play in the game, but the Hornets would hold off the LU charge. ESU shot .438 for the game and outrebounded the Blue Tigers 35-32 on the day.
Tola Lawal led the way for the Hornets coming off the bench and scoring 17 points and pulling down five rebounds. Travis Dykman tied a career high with 13 points and added a team high seven rebounds. Troy Pierce added 12 points and pulled down six rebounds for the Hornets. Antonio DiMaria hit three 3-pointers and added nine points for ESU.
The Hornets now move into a one game lead for the eighth seed in the MIAA Tournament after Missouri Western defeated Truman. ESU will return to the floor on Feb. 22 when they face Washburn in the Turnpike Tussle. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from W. L. White Auditorium.
