November 10, 2017-Emporia State trailed by five points with less than a minute left in regulation before forcing overtime, but a 6-0 run to start the extra frame gave Sioux Falls a 94-89 win in White Auditorium on Friday night.
The Hornets fell behind 11-3 early in the game before using an 11-0 run to take their first lead at 14-13 with 13:10 left in the period. The Cougars would use an 8-0 run to go up 30-24 with 5:09 left in the half. Hassan Thomas and Brian Morton combined for a 7-0 run in just 1:36 to regain the lead at 31-30 with 3:33 left and would take a 42-36 lead on Thomas' third three pointer of the half with 37 seconds left.
The Cougars scored the last two points of the first half and first two of the second half to cut the Hornet lead to 42-40 ten seconds into the second period. Emporia State answered with a 7-0 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 49-40 with 18:17 remaining. The Hornets would hold onto their lead until a Teathloach Pal free throw with 10:08 left gave Sioux Falls a 61-60 lead.
Neither team took more than a four point lead until Jerrod Walton's layup with 2:09 left gave the Cougars a 77-72 lead. Brandon Hall cut the lead to 77-74 wth 1:11 left on a driving layup but Walton answered with a bucket of his own to make it 79-74 with 46 seconds left. Hall was fouled going to the basket with 38.2 seconds left and hit both free throws to pull the Hornets within three points. Walton turned the ball over trying to inbound with 22.9 seconds left, giving the Hornets a chance for the tie. Hall hit Thomas on a kick out and his three-pointer with 8.4 left sent the game to overtime.
Sioux Falls scored six quick points to start the overtime and Emporia State could never get it back to a one possession game.
Thomas led Emporia State with a game high 24 points with six rebounds and was joined in double figures by Morton with 19 points, Hall with 18 and Grant Shell with 13 points. The Hornets were outrebounded 41-22 on the night and outscored by 24-12 at the free throw line.
Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday night against #15 Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off from Slaymaker Court in White Auditorium is set for 7:30 p.m.
