January 16, 2016 - In a battle of top ten teams, the #9 Lady Hornets fell to #10 Missouri Western 73-64 Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium.
FIRST QUARTER RUN
The Griffons got out to an early 6-2 lead, only to have the Lady Hornets answer back with a 13-4 run in the last 7:14 of the first quarter. The rally started on a three pointer from Kelsey Barnwell, closing the gap 6-5. At the 5:38 mark, Kelly Moten would score a layup, putting the Lady Hornets up 9-8. Emporia State lead 15-8 the last 1:24 of the first quarter until a last second tip-in by the Griffons. Emporia State grabbed six offensive rebounds in the first quarter.
GRIFFONS TAKE CONTROL BEFORE HALF
The Lady Hornets were out scored 21-14 in the second quarter, shooting five for 16 from the field. Kelsey Barnwell scored the first bucket of the second quarter, giving Emporia State their largest lead 17-10 at the 9:35 mark. Missouri Western went on a 9-2 run in the middle of the second, tying the game 19-19 with 6:09 to play in the half. The Lady Hornets regained the lead, 21-19, when Kelly Moten converted on two free throws. The Griffons answered with a three pointer to take the lead 22-21 for the first time since the 6:30 mark in the first quarter. The teams battled back and forth to finally tie it 29-29 with 47 seconds left from a Kelly Moten jumper. Missouri Western converted on two free throws to take the lead and end the half up 31-29.
SECOND HALF START
Missouri Western came out of the lockerroom quick, converting a traditional three-point play 15 seconds into the third quarter, putting the Griffons up 34-29. The Lady Hornets would get as close as 36-34 at the 8:19 mark from a Kelsey Barnwell three. Missouri Western out scored Emporia State 20-15 in the third, giving them a 51-44 lead going into the fourth and final period.
TIGHT FOURTH
The Lady Hornets started the fourth quarter with a three pointer from Sandra Ngoie to close the gap 51-47. Emporia State was trailing 59-56 after a Kyrstie Miller three with 5:13 to play. Missouri Western opened up their lead 63-58 with 3:32 remaining when the Lady Hornets answered with a layup from Kelly Moten. The Griffons ended the game on a 10-4 run to win 73-64 in the top ten match-up.
THE NUMBERS
Kathryn Flott led the Lady Hornets with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, five of those being offensive rebounds. Kelsey Barnwell added 14 points shooting five for six from the field. Kelly Moten had 12 points for Emporia State, with six assists and three blocks. Moten moved up to 25th on the Emporia State career scoring list with 1,055 points as she passed Stacy Humphrey (1,045 1992-96).
UP NEXT
The #9 Lady Hornets will face off in their first Turnpike Tussle of the season on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 5:00 p.m. The Ichabods are 10-6, 6-4 in the MIAA.
