Women's Basketball | 1/10/2013 5:37:00 PM
LAST TRAIN TO KIRKSVILLE
Emporia State makes their final trip to Kirksville, Mo. to play an MIAA game against Truman. The Bulldogs are moving to the Great Lakes Valley Conference next season.
THE COACHES
Jory Collins is 50-23 in his third year as the head coach of the Lady Hornets and has guided them to the MIAA Tournament Championship Game in each of his first two seasons. He has seven wins against Top 25 teams. This is his 12th season on the Lady Hornet coaching staff and Emporia State has advanced to the NCAA tournament in ten of those seasons. He is 4-1 against Truman.
Michael Smith is 59-62 in his fifth year at Truman. He is 1-8 against Emporia State.
ABOUT THE LADY HORNETS
Emporia State is 7-5 on the year and 2-2 in the MIAA and have played one of the toughest schedules in the country. Their first 12 opponents are a combined 97-57 on the season. Seven of the ten NCAA schools they have played have received votes in the WBCA National Poll or played in last year's NCAA Tournament.
LAST TIME OUT
Seniors Rachel Hanf and Jocelyn Cummings combined for 22 second half points to lead Emporia State to a 65-59 win at Southwest Baptist on Tuesday night. Hanf led Emporia State with a season high 19 points on six of ten shooting from the field. She was joined in double figures by Merissa Quick with 14 points and Laura Patrick with her first career double double of 13 points and ten boards.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
Truman is 11-2 on the year, 4-1 in the MIAA, received a vote in this week's WBCA National Poll and are 6-0 at home this season. The Bulldogs lead the nation in field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage. Four players are averaging in double figures led by Becka McHenry's 13.3 points per game which rises to 14.8 in MIAA play.
THE SERIES
The Lady Hornets lead the all-time series 42-7 and has won 21 of the last 23 meetings. Emporia State is 15-4 all-time at Pershing Arena and had won nine in a row there prior to last year's 78-60 loss.
LAST TIME VS. TRUMAN
Kelsey Balcom hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with :00.7 left to give #24 Emporia State a 64-63 win over Truman in the first round of the MIAA Tournament. TSU took the lead with a free throw from Becka McHenry with 2:22 left at 60-59 and went up three on a pair of free throws with 1:56 remaining. Rheanna Egli pulled ESU to within 62-61 on a lay up with 1:31 left. McHenry made one free throw with :16.1 left to put TSU ahead 63-61. The Lady Hornets called timeout with :12.3 left to set up the final play. Balcom found herself open at the top of the key and nailed the three pointer. Merissa Quick led ESU with 20 points and was joined in double figures by Heather Robben with 14 points and Balcom with 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets have a week off before hosting Missouri Western on Sunday, January 20. Tip in White Auditorium is set for 1:30 p.m.
