Men's Basketball | 3/2/2013 2:15:00 AM
YOUNG’UNS ON SENIOR DAY
Two of the younger teams in the league will square off when Emporia State travels to Pittsburg State on the Gorillas Senior Day. Seven freshmen get considerable minutes between the two teams.
THE COACHES
Shaun Vandiver is 22-30 in his second season at Emporia State. A first round draft pick by the Golden State Warriors in 1991 spent ten years as an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level. As a player he led Hutchinson CC to the 1988 NJCAA National Championship before earning first-team All-Big 8 honors at Colorado. He is 1-2 against Pittsburg State.
Kevin Muff is 46-36 in his third season at Pittsburg State. He is 3-2 against ESU.
LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State powered their way to a 61-55 win over Washburn in White Auditorium on the night the floor was officially announced as Ron Slaymaker Court. In agame that saw 41 foulsand five technicals, the Hornets held the Ichabods scoreless for almost seven minutes surrounding halftime as they went on a 16-0 run to take control. Paul Bunch led the Hornets with 15 points, ten rebounds and four blocked shots. He was joined in double figures by Kaleb Wright with 14 points and Taylor Euler with ten points, five assists and four steals.
ABOUT EMPORIA STATE
The Hornets are 13-12 on the season, 8-9 in the MIAA and are currently eighth in the MIAA Tournament standings. They can secure a first round MIAA Tournament game with a win against the Gorillas.
ABOUT PITTSBURG STATE
The Gorillas are 16-9 on the season, 9-8 in the MIAA and one game in front of the Hornets in the league standings. They are 9-3 in the refurbished John Lance Arena. Pitt State is the top offensive rebounding team in the MIAA and rank second in rebound margin. Six players average at least 9.4 points per game led by Kaleb Porter at 14.3 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 184th meeting between the two teams with Emporia State holding a 94-89 overall advantage. The two have split their last ten meetings with Pittsburg State sweeping the season series last year. The Hornets have three of the last four meetings in White Auditorium.
LAST TIME VS. THE GORILLAS
Chris Sights had a career high 29 points with 19 in the second half as Emporia State defeated Pittsburg State 88-82 in White Auditorium. He led four players in double figures for the Hornets. Sights hit 11 of 15 shots form the field and four of five from behind the three point line for his 29 points. He was joined in double figures by Wright with 13 points, Gavin Brown with 12 and Paul Bunch with 11 points. Bunch had a game high eight rebounds and six blocks for the Hornets.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will play a first round MIAA Tournament game on Monday, March 4. With a win today or a loss by Southwest Baptist the Hornets will host. If Emporia State loses and SBU wins, the Hornets need Missouri Southern to win and forge a three-way tie between ESU, MSSU and SBU in order to host.
