February 17, 2016-Kevin Allen had career highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds as Emporia State defeated Central Oklahoma 80-70 on Wednesday night in White Auditorium.
AHEAD ALL THE WAY
The Hornets scored the first six points of the game and never trailed in the contest. Emporia State led by nine at 21-12 when Central Oklahoma went on an 8-1 run to cut the lead to 22-20 with 6:24 left in the half. The Hornets then went on a 22-3 run to go up by 21 with 1:56 remaining. Charles McKinney started the run with a lay-up and three pointer while Kevin Allen scored five of the final eight points in the run starting with a dunk and free throw and ending with a fast break layup. The Hornets would take a 46-30 lead into the break.
MORE OF THE SAME
Emporia State would push the lead back to 18 to start the second half on a layup from Josh Pedersen and would lead by 21 on Jay Temaat's three-pointer with 10:34 left at 65-44. UCO would chip away at the lead and cut it to nine at 76-67 with 2:03 left. A Jevon Taylor three-pointer put the lead back to double digits 20 seconds later as Emporia State cruised to the 80-70 victory.
THE NUMBERS
With his 27 points and 14 rebounds Kevin Allen became the first Hornet to have at least 25 points and 14 rebounds in a game since Lamar Wilbern had 27 points and 16 boards against Pittsburg State on Jan. 10, 2009. He was joined in double figures by Terrence Moore with 14 points and Charles McKinney with ten points. As a team the Hornets shot 56.4%, the third straight game they have shot at least 50% from the field, and outrebounded the Bronchos 41-26, the second straight game they have pulled at least 40 boards.
UP NEXT
The Hornets take on Northeastern State on Saturday in White Auditorium. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
