January 7, 2016-Emporia State got off to a good start and finished strong but were outscored by 20 points in the middle 20 minutes of action in an 84-74 loss at Central Oklahoma on Thursday.
GOOD START
The Hornets jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first 4:45 of the game behind six points from Charles McKinney. Emporia State had a 16-9 lead with 13:17 left in the half when the Bronchos went on a 14-3 run to take a 23-19 lead with 9:55 left.Â
BAD MIDDLE
After Emporia State tied the game at 27 on a Bradley Fisher layup, Central Oklahoma went on a nother 14-3 run to close out the half and take a 41-30 lead into the locker rooms. The Bronchos then scored the first four points of hte second half to make it an 18-3 run and take a 45-30 lead with 17:48 left in the game. Their lead would eventually reach 22 points with 12:44 remaining.
ENDING STRONG
The Hornets trailed 72-54 with 5:28 left when they started to get back in the game. A 9-2 run that started with four points from Kevin Allen and ended with five from Terrence Moore cut the lead to 72-60 at the final media timeout. After the Bronchos went back up by 15 with 2:29 left Emporia State went on a 9-0 run capped by an old fashioned three-point play by Charles McKinney with 1:07 left. Central Oklahoma would then hit four of four free throws in the final 50.3 seconds to secure the win.
THE NUMBERS
Terrence Moore had 25 points on ten of 17 shooting form the field. He was joined in double figures by Charles McKinney with 15 points and Brandon Hall with 13 points.
RECORD WATCH
Terrence Moore's 25 points moved him past Dale Cushinberry (1,352 points from 1966-69) for ninth on the Hornets all-time scoring list with 1,361 points. Next up is Andy Uphoff with 1,373 points from 1989-93.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Tahlequah, Okla. on Saturday to take on Northeastern State. Tip-off at the NSU Events Center is set for 3:30 p.m.
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