November 12, 2016-Brandon Hall scored 23 points to lead five Hornets in double figures in Emporia State's 101-94 victory at Sioux Falls to open the season. It was the first time the Hornets cracked the century mark since a 104-97 double overtime win at Lincoln on January 4, 2014 and the first time they had reached 100 in regulation since a 108-51 win against Bethel on November 18, 2013.
The Hornets trailed 19-12 with 11:06 left in the first half when they went on a 13-0 run to take a 15-19 lead with 8:07 left in the half. Hall had the final five points of the run while Brian Morton added six points to it. They would stretch the lead to eight on four occasions in the opening frame before settling for a 48-40 lead on Hall's three-pointer to end the half.
Emporia State would take the biggest lead of the night on a three-pointer from Morton with 13:26 left to go up 67-54. The Cougars would chip away at the lead and eventually close to within four at 88-84 with 3:33 remaining in the game. Morton and Jawan Emery each hit two free throws on back to back possessions to give the Hornets a 100-92 lead with 37 seconds left and USF could only muster two free throws the rest of the way as the Hornets scored 100 points in their opener for the first time since a 116-114 loss to Central Oklahoma in double overtime on November 16, 2009.
Hall had four assists, three rebounds and three steals to go with his 23 points. He was joined in double figures by Morton with 18 points, Jay Temaat with 16 including a four of five effort from behind the three point line, 13 points from Stephaun Limuel and ten from Garin Vandiver. Limuel had a team high eight rebounds for the Hornets.
The Hornets will wrap up play in the season opening MIAA-NSIC Challenge on Sunday when they take on Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off in Sioux Falls, SD is set for 3:00 p.m.
