Men's Basketball | 1/8/2014 2:27:00 PM
Game #16
 Emporia State Hornets (9-6, 2-3 MIAA)
vs. Missouri Western Griffons (7-6, 2-3 MIAA)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 • 7:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium (5,000)
Series Record: MWSU leads 42-28 Last Meeting: at ESU 71, MWSU 60 (Feb. 20, 2013)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM (7:10 p.m. pregame) Internet Audio: kvoe.com
Television: None Internet Video: americaonesports.com ($8)
 Up Next: vs. #25 Central Missouri • Jan. 11, 2014 • 7:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium (5,000)
HOME AGAIN
Emporia State returns to Slaymaker Court at White Auditorium for the first time in nearly three weeks as they play host to Missouri Western.
LAST TIME OUT
The Emporia State men were tied with Lindenwood at 58-58 but the Lions hit 11 of their final 12 free throws to take a 76-63 win over the Hornets on Monday night in St. Charles, Mo. The Hornets jumped out to an 8-2 lead at the 16:29 mark thanks to six points from Terrence Moore. There were four ties and three lead changes in the first half before the Lions settled in for a 35-32 advantage at the break. Lindenwood was up 56-49 with 8:21 remaining in the game when Emporia State went on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 58 with 6:04 left. McWisdom Badejo capped the run with layup and had a chance to give the Hornets the lead with a free throw that rimmed out. The Lions responded with an 11-1 run to take a ten point lead with 2:45 left. They then converted seven of eight free throws in the final 2:25 to hold off the Hornets. Terrence Moore led Emporia State with 16 points and was joined in double figures by Kaleb Wright with 15 and Gavin Brown with 12 points.
THE COACHES
Shaun Vandiver is 31-38 in his third 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 2-1 against Missouri Western.
Brett Weiberg is 7-6 in his first year at Missouri Western. This is his first meeting with Emporia State.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State has five players averaging over 8.0 points per game led by Kaleb Wright at 16.3 points per game. Terrence Moore leads the MIAA in steals, Paul Bunch leads the league in blocked shots and Jevon Taylor has the top three point shooting percentage in the league. The Hornets are ranked third in the MIAA in defensive field goal percentage.
ABOUT THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 7-6, 2-3 in the MIAA. They are 1-4 away from the MWSU Fieldhouse. Ryan Devers leads three Griffons in double figures at 17.2 points per game. He has scoring a total of 60 points in his last two games.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 71st meeting between the two teams with Missouri Western holding a 42-28 overall advantage. The Hornets have won six of the last seven meetings in White Auditorium.
LAST TIME VS. MO. WESTERN
Four Hornets reached double figures as Emporia State handed Missouri Western coach Tom Smith a 71-60 loss in his last trip to White Auditorium. The Hornets trailed 10-8 early but then went on a 11-2 run to take the lead for good. Gavin Brown led Emporia State with 13 points and ten rebounds. Chris Sights was the leading scorer for the Hornets with 17 points while Kaleb Wright added 16 and Paul Bunch chipped in 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Hornets continue their three game home stand on Saturday night against #24 Central Missouri. Tip-off from Slaymaker Court in White Auditorium is set for 7:30 p.m.
FRIENDLY CONFINES
Emporia State has won 120 of their last 158 games (.759) in White Auditorium. Twenty-eight of the 38 losses have been by less than ten points. The Hornets are 342-152 (.692) since 1979 in White Auditorium. The Hornets have posted a winning home record for ten of the past 11 years in White Auditorium.
WE WANT MOORE
Guard Terrence Moore (So./Wichita, Kan.) leads the MIAA and is 15th in the nation in steals per game and is eighth in the country in total steals. He is 20th in the MIAA in scoring. He had team highs of 16 points and six rebounds at Lindenwood. He scored 21 points at Lincoln, his second straight 20 point game, with four steals. He had a career high 27 points and seven rebounds against Missouri Southern. He scored ten points with six rebounds and a career high six steals against Newman. He scored nine points with six rebounds and three assists against Southwest Baptist. He scored 15 points with five assists and three steals against Southeastern Oklahoma. He scored 24 points on six of ten shooting from the field and 12 of 14 from the free throw line against Mary. He matched his career high with five steals at Alaska. He had 15 points and five steals against Bethel. He scored 18 points with four three-pointers, three steals and four assists against McPherson. He scored 11 points with three steals at Rockhurst. He had 17 points in the exhibition win over UMKC and a team high 15 points at Wichita State. He scored 13 points with six rebounds and two steals in the Hornets MIAA Tournament game last season against Missouri Southern. He scored 11 points on five of seven shooting against Ft. Hays State. He scored 19 points on nine of ten shooting against Southwestern. He scored 10 points off the bench with a team high three steals at Kansas. He was the Hornets leading scorer at Tulsa with 12 points, and led the team with four steals.
Â
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Guard Kaleb Wright (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) is ranked 11th in the MIAA in scoring and 15th in free throw percentage. He is 23rd in the nation in total field goal attempts and ranks second in the MIAA. He had 15 points and a team high four assists at Lindenwood. He scored 27 points off the bench at Lincoln and was five of five from the field in the second half. He was held to eight points on three of 14 shooting against Missouri Southern. He had 16 points against Southwest Baptist. He scored a career high 35 points with a career high five made three-pointers against Newman. He scored ten points with three assists at Northwest Missouri. He scored 12 points on four of five shooting from the three point line against Southeastern Oklahoma. He scored 18 points including a career best 12 of 13 from the free throw line against Mary. He had a career high 27 points against Fresno Pacific. He was six of ten from the field and scored 15 points against Sterling. He led Emporia State with 20 points at Rockhurst. He scored 17 points in the exhibition win over UMKC. He earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors after scoring 14.4 points and 2.9 assists per game last year. He scored 23 points at Missouri Southern. He had ten points, seven rebounds and career high seven assists at Neb.-Kearney. He had 19 points against Missouri Southern. He scored 16 points with a career high four steals against Missouri Western. He scored 20 points and three assists at Central Missouri. He scored 18 points on 8 of 13 shooting against Missouri S&T. He led the Hornets with 20 points at Western Oregon. He scored 22 points at Missouri S&T. He had a team high 11 points at K-State.
BIG PAUL
Center Paul Bunch (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) leads the MIAA, is ranked fifth in the nation in blocked shots per game. He is ranked 18th in the MIAA in rebounding. He was three of four from the field for seven points at Lindenwood. He had his second straight double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds against Missouri Southern. He had 14 points, ten rebounds and tied his career high with seven blocks against Southwest Baptist. He blocked four shots against Newman. He was four of four from the field for 13 points at St. Mary's. He scored ten points off the bench on three of five shooting against Southeastern Oklahoma. He set the Alaska Invitational single game and tournament record with six blocked shots in the first game against Fresno Pacific and ended with 12 blocks in the three games. He scored 13 points with five rebounds and two blocks against Alaska. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds at Rockhurst. He had 20 points and eight boards at UMKC. He had nine points and nine rebounds with three blocks at Oklahoma State. He was named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team as well as being an Honorable Mention All-MIAA selection last season. He was ranked third in the nation in blocks last season. He scored 15 points with ten rebounds and four blocked shots against Washburn. He scored 12 points on six of eight shooting with seven rebounds and seven blocks against Northeastern State. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds at Missouri Southern in Joplin. He had 12 points and ten rebounds against Lindenwood. He scored 14 points with eight rebounds and five blocks against Central Oklahoma. He had 18 points with nine rebounds against Missouri Southern. He had a career high 23 points to go with 13 rebounds at Southwest Baptist. He had 14 points, ten rebounds and three blocks at Washburn. He had 16 points and 15 rebounds at Central Missouri. He has 116 blocks in 35 games with the Hornets.
HE'S SWANKY
Guard Micah Swank (So./Pratt, Kan.) is ranked 11th in the MIAA in assist to turnover ratio, 13th in three point percentage and 15th in steals. He scored 15 points including a nine of nine performance at the free throw line at Lincoln. He hit a three-pointer in the second OT to give the Hornets a five point lead. He passed his career high with 16 first half points and ended with 18 against Southwest Baptist. His three-pointer with less than 13 seconds left gave Emporia State the lead against Newman. He was two for two from the three-point line for eight points with four assists against Southeastern Oklahoma. He scored a career high 11 points with three steals at Alaska. He matched his career high with seven assists and added three steals against Bethel. He scored ten points against Sterling. He had seven assists against McPherson. He had seven boards at Oklahoma State. He had six points on two of three shooting from the three-point line against Missouri Southern in the MIAA Tournament last year. He had a team high four assists at Washburn. He scored six points in his first start at Missouri S&T. Â
BROWN AND SERVE
Forward Gavin Brown (Sr./Junction City, Kan.) is 14th in the MIAA in rebounding. He scored 12 points at Lindenwood. He had nine points and nine rebounds against Southwest Baptist. He scored ten points off the bench at Lincoln. He scored 12 points with seven rebounds, six of them offensive, against St. Mary's. He matched his season high with seven points at Alaska. He pulled 11 rebounds and dished three assists against Bethel. He had a career high 16 rebounds against Sterling. He scored 11 points with a career best three of three effort from the three point line against Northeastern State last season. He had 13 rebounds and seven assists against Lincoln. He scored 12 points on five of seven shooting with six rebounds, three steals and two blocks at Northwest Missouri. He had 13 points and ten rebounds against Missouri Western. He had 15 points and 12 rebounds while adding five assists and three steals against Missouri S&T. He led Emporia State with 14 points and six rebounds at Kansas.
Â
TAYLOR MADE
Guard Jevon Taylor (Fr./Denver, Colo.) leads in the MIAA in three point field goal percentage and is ranked 12th in three point makes. He would be second in the nation in three point percentage but does not have enough makes to qualify for the national rankings. He was two of four from behind the arc at Lindenwood. He scored 19 points with four made three-pointers in his first career start at Lincoln. He took just one shot against Mo. Southern and had only ten shots in three games since scoring a career high 20 points on six of seven shooting from the field at Northwest Missouri. He was five of seven from behind the three-point line for 15 points against Southeastern Oklahoma. He scored 12 points against Mary and had ten points and four rebounds at Alaska. He had 15 points on six of seven shooting against Bethel. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists per game for George Washington HS last year. He connected on 74 of 164 three-point attempts to lead Colorado Class 5A in makes.
JORDANAIRRE
Guard Tyler Jordan (Fr./Ballwin, Mo.) had three assists against Missouri Southern. He scored 11 points on four of five shooting with three assists at Northwest Missouri. He grabbed a career high six rebounds with four assists against Bethel. He dished a career high seven assists and had five rebounds against McPherson. He had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals at Oklahoma State. He averaged 13.2 points, four rebounds and three assists per game as a senior for Eureka (Mo.) HS last year. He was a three-time All-Suburban West Conference and All-District performer. He led Eureka HS to conference and district championships his senior year. Â
WINDY CITY WILDMAN
Forward Terrence Sardin (Fr./Chicago, Ill.) got his first career start at Lindenwood. He gave Emporia State the lead for good with a tip dunk in the second overtime at Lincoln. He was two of two from the field at Northwest Missouri. He was five of seven from the free throw line on his way to seven points against Bethel. He averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks for Perspectives Academy last season. He had a triple double with 23 points, 13 rebounds and ten blocked shots against Brooks HS in the regional championship game.
Â
SHARE THE WISDOM
Center McWisdom Badejo (So./Dallas, Texas) is shooting 72.4% from the field, going 21 of 29 on the year. His only field goal against Lindenwood tied the score at 58 with 6:07 left. He scored a career high ten points against St. Mary's. He had six points and four rebounds in nine minutes against Bethel. He was four of five from the field for eight points in 13 minutes against McPherson. He scored eight points at Wichita State. He is a 6-9 transfer from Florida A&M. He averaged 1.1 points and 1.3 rebounds for the Rattlers with a season high ten points and six rebounds against Allen. He was listed as one of the top names in college basketball last season.
Â
A-MAYES-ING
Forward Nick Mayes (Jr. /Laramie, Wyo.) earned his first career start against Lincoln and pulled two rebounds. He scored two points and pulled three rebounds against Bethel. He was two of two from the line at Kansas last season. He saw action in five games in 2011-12 as a reserve. He played a season high 11 minutes at Pittsburg State on Feb. 15 and pulled down six rebounds.
TEMAAT MIGHT
Guard Jay Temaat (Fr./Lenexa, Kan.) is shooting 83.3% from the free throw line this season. He was four of five from the line against Southeastern Oklahoma. He hit both three-pointers he took against Mary. He had 12 points on three of seven shooting from beyond the arc against Bethel. He scored 18 points on six of nine shooting with five three-pointers in 14 minutes against McPherson. He was the leading scorer for the Hornets at Oklahoma State with 12 points in 13 minutes. He hit three of ten three pointers against the Cowboys. He averaged 17 points and four assists per game for Shawnee Mission West HS last season on his way to honorable mention All-State honors at the Class 6A level.
THE BENTLEY OF BICYCLES
Forward Josh Pedersen (Fr./Olathe, Kan.) is doubtful for tonight after suffering a concussion in practice. He scored a career high 12 points against Newman and twice tied the score on a pair of free throws in the final three minutes. He had two rebounds and two steals at Northwest Missouri. He had three steals and two assists in his first career start against Southeastern Oklahoma. He scored five points against McPherson. He had four rebounds at Oklahoma State. He averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for Class 5A state champion Shawnee Mission South
HS. He was a first-team KBCA Class 5A All-State selection as a senior.
SLAYMAKER COURT
The court at William L. White Auditorium was formally named Ron Slaymaker Court at half-time of the Hornets win over Washburn on Feb. 28 after the City of Emporia approved a proclamation at their Feb. 20 city commission meeting.
HORNETS RANK 19TH IN NATION IN ATTENDENCE
The Emporia State men's basketball team continued a string of 11 straight years ranking in the top 25 in attendance among the nearly 300 NCAA Division II basketball playing schools. The Hornets drew an average of 1,678 fans to their 13 home games in White Auditorium during the 2012-13 season to rank 19th nationally. Emporia State outdrew 95 NCAA Division I schools. As a conference the MIAA drew 254,543 fans to the 186 games to lead all Division II conference in average attendance at 1,369 fans per game. The MIAA's total attendance was better than nine NCAA Division I conferences.
IN THE RAFTERS
Five Hornets have had their jersey's retired to the wall of White Auditorium.
•Wilbur Reeser (1944-48) - Reeser was named an NAIB All-American and was the Hornets leading scorer as the won a conference championship in 1948.
•Ron Slaymaker (Player 1954-60, Coach 1970-98) - As a player Slaymaker was named All-Conference and All-American during the 1957-58 season. As a coach he won an ESU leading 464 games from 1970-98.
•Jim Fraley (1956-60) - Fraley was the school's all-time leading scorer (1,509) until Brian Robinson broke his record in 1985. He was named Second-team NAIA All-American.
•Doug Glaysher (1960-64) - Glaysher was named an All-American after leading the Hornets to the NAIA National Semi-finals in 1964. He graduated as the second leading scorer in ESU history.
•Brian Robinson (1984-86) - Robinson was named a first team All-American in both his junior and senior season. He is the ESU all-time leading scorer with 2,533 career points.
