November 27, 2015-Emporia State evened their season record with an 81-72 win over Eastern New Mexico on Friday night in the Pak-A-Sak Thanksgiving Classic in Canyon, Texas.
PLAYING WITH THE LEAD
Emporia State scored the first five points of the game and never trailed in the contest. Terrence Moore started things for the Hornets with a steal and score that ended with an old fashioned three-point play for a 3-0 lead just 25 seconds into the game. Emporia State would push the first half lead to 19 points at 37-18 with 4:44 left in the half.
CRUNCH TIME
The Greyhounds would trim a 14 point half-time deficit down to on point twice in the second half. After a John Gilliam layup cut the lead to 58-57 with 5:58 left, Brandon Hall scored a hoop and harm to give the Hornets a 61-57 lead. Charles McKinney would get a steal and dunk with 2:15 left to give Emporia State a ten point lead and the Hornets would hit eight of 12 free throws after that to come away with the 81-72 win.
THE NUMBERS
McKinney had a career high 19 points with eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals to lead the Hornets. He was joined in double figures by Hall with 15 points, Josh Oswald with 14, and Terrence Moore with 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will play the host Buffaloes of West Texas A&M on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas.
