December 18, 2017-The Emporia State men gave up a 5-0 run in the final 23.8 seconds to fall 69-68 at Lindenwood on Monday night.
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The game was tight through the first 18 minutes with five ties and 11 lead changes before the Hornets ended the half with back to back three-pointers from Danny Hodges and Grant Shell gave Emporia State a 37-30 lead at the break.
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Lindenwood cut the lead to two at 39-37 just 2:35 into the second half. Emporia State responded with a 14-5 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 53-42 with 13:19 left. The Hornets were still up by ten with 11:35 remaining after Shell hit one of two free throws. The Lions then went on a 14-4 run to tie the game at 58 with 6:13 left.
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The Lions retook the lead with 2:40 remaining on a pair of Brad Newman free throws for a 64-63 lead. The Hornets got the lead back on a Brandon Hall jumper with 2:18 left and went up three when Stephaun Limuel tipped in his own miss with 1:48 remaining. Shell hit one of two free throws with 32.3 seconds left to give Emporia State a 68-64 lead. Adam Pohlman drove the lane with 23.8 left to cut the lead to two. As the Hornets inbounded the ball out of a Lindenwood time out TJ Crockett dove and stole the ball and was initially called for travelling as he attempted to get up. After a consultation the officials reversed the travel call and gave the ball to Lindenwood with 22 seconds left. Chandler Diekvoss nailed a three pointer from the corner with 12.3 seconds left to put the Lions up 69-68. Hall missed a layup but the Hornets got the ball out of bounds with 1.8 seconds left. Shell's last second attempt at a three was off the mark and the Hornets fell to 6-6 on the season.
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Emporia State was led by Stephaun Limuel with 14 points and a career high 15 rebounds. It is his fourth double-double of the season. He was joined in double figures by Grant Shell with a career high 18 points.
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The Hornets are now off until December 30 when they play host to Central Christian in White Auditorium.
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