December 31, 2015-Emporia State closed out 2015 with a 74-68 win over Rockhurst on New Year's Eve in White Auditorium.
FIRST HALF SHOOTING WOES
Emporia State found themselves down 32-28 at the half after shooting just 34.5% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Hornets trailed by eight, at 27-19 with 2:54 left in the half. Emporia State would outscore Rockhurst 9-5 with seven of the points coming from Terrence Sardin and Jevon Taylor.
HEATING UP IN THE SECOND
The Hornets would heat up in the second half, shooting 48.1% from the field and 50% from the three-point line after the break. The Hawks started the half by taking their biggest lead of the afternoon at 37-28 with 18:58 left. Emporia State responded with a 12-4 run to cut the lead to one with 15:02 remaining. A personal 7-0 run by Kevin Allen turned a three-point deficit into a four point lead at 54-50 with 9:04 left in the game.
ICING THE GAME
Rockhurst was within two points with 3:13 left and the Hornets hit seven of eight free throws in the final 2:45 to secure the win.
THE NUMBERS
Kevin Allen led four Hornets in double figures with 14 points and added a game high nine rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Joshua Oswald with 13 points, Terrence Moore with 12 and Micah Swank with ten points. Moore and Swank each had four assists while Moore added three steals and two blocked shots.
MOVING ON UP
Terrence Moore moved past Doug Glaysher for 11th on the Emporia State career scoring list with 1,316 points. He is 16 points away from passing Shawn Herrman and moving into the top ten for the Hornets.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will return to MIAA action on Saturday, January 2 when they take on Lincoln. Tip-off from Slaymaker Court in White Auditorium is set for 3:30 p.m.
