November 26, 2016-Emporia State had five players in double figures but Missouri S&T hit two free throws with one second left in the second overtime to had the Hornets a 97-96 loss in double overtime at the Drury Thanksgiving Classic in Springfield, Mo.
After a sluggish start in their last game Emporia State got out to a 6-0 lead to start the game and led 28-21 with 6:13 left in the first half. The Hornets had a nine point lead with 4:18 left in the half only to see the Miners end the period on an 8-2 run as Emporia State took a 36-33 lead into the break. MS&T would open the second half on a 13-0 run to go up 46-36 with 16:55 left in the game.
The Hornets trailed by six with 1:14 left in regulation but would end the period on a 9-3 run to send the game to overtime when Brandon Hall hit a layup with 8.2 seconds left.
The teams played even in the first extra frame with Brian Morton hitting one of two free throws with 24 seconds left to force the second overtime.
Josh Pedersen hit a three-pointer with 26 seconds left in the second overtime to give Emporia State a 96-95 lead. The Miners missed a jumper with three seconds left but got the ball out of bounds. Hall fouled Dulan Scott on the inbounds play with one second left and he hit both free throws to give the Miners the 97-96 win.
Morton led Emporia State with 22 points and he was joined on double figures by Hall with 18, Jay Temaat with 16 points, Tyler Jordan with 12 and Pedersen with 11 points. Hall also had nine rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets,who dropped to 2-5 on the season with four of the losses by three points or less.
Emporia State is back in action on Tuesday night against Central Christian. Tip-off from Slaymaker Court in White Auditorium is set for 7:00 p.m.
