November 13, 2016-A day after hitting eight three-pointers in a win over Sioux Falls, Emporia State went just one of ten from behind the three point line in a 77-74 loss to Southwest Minnesota at the MIAA-NSIC Challenge in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Hornets got out to a good start and led 14-7 at the first media timeout. The Mustangs then went on a 9-2 run of their own to tie the score at 16 with 12:00 left in the half. A Terrence Sardin dunk gave Emporia State a 22-16 lead with 9:51 left. The Hornets still had a six point lead at the 7:59 mark when Southwest Minnesota went on a 19-4 run to take a 37-28 lead with 3:19 remaining in the half. An 8-0 run by the Hornets cut the lead to one with 52 seconds left in the half before the Mustangs got a jumper from Mitch Weg with 35 seconds left to send SMSU to the locker rooms with a 39-36 lead.
Brandon Hall hit a layup to start the second half and pull the Hornets with a point before the Mustangs went on a 10-0 run to take a 49-38 lead with 17:07 left in the game. The margin would stay between eight and 12 points until the Hornets started a final push in the final five minutes. A KJ Davis free throw gave Southwest Minnesota a 70-60 lead with 4:58 left before Emporia State went on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 70 on a tip-in by Josh Pedersen with 2:01 left. The Mustangs hit five of six free throws over the next 1:52 to take a 77-72 lead with nine seconds left. Hall scored with four seconds left to pull the Hornets within three and Ryan Bruggeman missed a pair of free throws with three seconds left Pedersen grabbed the rebound off the second miss to give the Hornets a shot. Hall's three-pointer to tie was off the mark and the Hornets would leave the MIAA-NSIC Challenge with a split.
Hall had 18 points to lead four Hornets in double figures. He was joined by Brian Morton with 12 while Stephaun Limuel and Garin Vandiver each had ten points. Pederson and Limuel each had seven rebounds to lead Emporia State.
The Hornets are back in action on Wednesday, November 16 when they take on Rockhurst. Tip-off in Kansas City, Mo. is set for 7:00 p.m.
