Women's Basketball | 2/27/2013 12:37:00 AM
TURNPIKE TUSSLE
The Lady Hornets play host to the #5 Washburn Lady Blues in the final regular season game in White Auditorium for seniors Rachel Hanf and Jocelyn Cummings.
THE COACHES
Jory Collins is 59-26 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 3-5 against Washburn.
Ron McHenry is 340-68 in his 13th year at Washburn. He is 24-12 against Emporia State.
ABOUT THE LADY HORNETS
Emporia State is 16-8 on the year and 11-5 in the MIAA. The Lady Hornets have lost two straight games in White Auditorium for the first time since February 7-10, 1996.
LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State was held to its lowest home point total of the year in a 66-56 loss to Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium. The RiverHawks shot .500 from the field in the first half as they took a 37-33 lead into the break. The Lady Hornets were able to hold them to .387 shooting in the second half, but Emporia State shot just .259 in the second frame as they were outscored 29-23 after halftime. Laura Patrick led Emporia State with 14 points while Rachel Hanf added ten points and team high seven rebounds. Taylor Lewis led Northeastern State with 26 points.
ABOUT THE LADY BLUES
Washburn is 21-3 on the year, 15-1 in the MIAA, ranked #5 in the nation and have clinched a share of the MIAA regular season title. The Lady Blues have won ten straight games and have not allowed more than 54 points in their last 13 games. They lead the MIAA in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and rebound margin.
THE SERIES
The all-time series is tied at 44-44. This is the 31st straight game that at least one team has been ranked in the WBCA Top 25. They are the last two MIAA teams to win national championships, with Washburn taking the 2005 title and Emporia State winning in 2010. The Lady Hornets and Lady Blues have met in the final regular season game in White Auditorium four times in MIAA play with Washburn winning three of them.
LAST TIME VS. WASHBURN
Emporia State was tied with #6 Washburn at the 5:32 mark but the Lady Blues hit 11 of 13 free throws in the final 4:07 to secure a 79-68 win in a non-conference game in Topeka. Laura Patrick and Jocelyn Cummings each scored 14 points to pace Emporia State. Rachel Hanf led the Lady Hornets with ten rebounds and three assists.
UP NEXT
Emporia State travels to Pittsburg State for their final regular season game on Saturday, March 2. Tip-off from John Lance Arena in Pittsburg, Kan. is set for 1:30 p.m. The Lady Hornets have a chance at a bye to Kansas City, but will likely play a first round game in White on Tuesday.
