December 12, 2015-Emporia State used an 11-2 run to cut a double digit lead to one but could not finish off the comeback in a 73-72 loss to #21 Central Missouri on Saturday night in White Auditorium.
PLAYING FROM BEHIND
The Hornets scored the first points of the game on a Charles McKinney three-point play and led 5-2 on a Josh Oswald layup assisted by McKinney. The Mules then went on a 6-0 run to take the lead at 8-5 with 17:13 left in the first half and would never trail the rest of the night. After falling behind by seven Emporia State would tie the score at 27 with 5:00 left in the half and went into the lockerrooms trailing by just three at 33-30.Â
SECOND HALF COMEBACK
The Mules used a 15-4 run, fueled by four Kyle Wolf three-pointers, to take a 54-42 lead with 10:56 left in the game. The Hornets would use an 11-2 run to cut the lead to one at 58-57 on a Josh Oswald three pointer with 5:44 remaining.
SHADES OF LAST YEAR
In last season's 84-78 overtime win by Emporia State at Central Missouri, the Hornets erased a ten point deficit with 2:57 left to force the extra frame. This year Emporia State trailed by seven with 2:33 left and cut the lead to two with 1:03 left on a Terrence Moore three-pointer. McKinney was fouled on the play and had a chance to tie teh game but missed both free throws. D/Marnier Cunningham missed the front end of a one and one giving the Hornets a chance to tie or take the lead but Temaat's three pointer was off with 23 seconds left and Central Missouri hit four of four three pointers in the final 19.1 seconds to hold on for the 73-72 win.
NUMBERS
Terrence Moore and Jay Temaat led Emporia State with 14 points each while Charles McKinney and Josh Oswald each scored 11 points. Oswald added ten rebounds for a double-double as the Hornets outrebounded Central Missouri 35-32.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Joplin, Mo. on December 16 to take on Missouri Southern. Tip-off from the Leggett & Platt Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
