February 1, 2017-In a game that saw eight ties and 14 lead changes, Ft. Hays State scored the final five points to pull out a 76-71 win over Emporia State on Wednesday night in White Auditorium. The Hornets outscored the Tigers 64-61 from the field but hit just seven of 12 free throws compared to a 15 of 17 effort from the line by Ft. Hays State.
The Hornets never led in the first half as the Tigers took as much as a nine point lead midway through the period. Emporia State responded with a 7-0 run to get within 20-18 with 9:14 left in the period. The Hornets were within one at 37-36 with 29 seconds left in the half but Rob Davis scored with six seconds left to send the Tigers to the lockerroom with a 39-36 lead.
Emporia State used a 9-2 run to turn a 50-47 deficit into a 56-52 lead with 11:10 remaining on fast break dunk by Stephaun Limuel. The Hornets led 61-59 on a three-pointer by Garin Vandiver with 7:37 left before the Tigers answered with a 9-1 run to go up 68-62 with 5:27 remaining. A 6-0 run capped by a Jevon Taylor three-pointer put the Hornets back on top 69-68 with 3:08 left. The teams would trade scores over the next 2:18 with Hadley Gillum hitting two free throws with 49.9 seconds left to give the Tigers a 72-71 lead. On the next possession Josh Pedersen missed a three-pointer from the corner and the Tigers were able to get the rebound and a break away dunk by Brady Werth with 20.5 seconds left for a 74-71 lead. Tyler Jordan missed a three with eight seconds left and the Tigers grabbed the rebound. Klyer Kinnamon hit both ends of a one and one with four seconds left to seal the win.
Jevon Taylor had 17 points to lead five Hornets in double figures. Brian Morton, Tyler Jordan and Brandon Hall all had 12 points and Garin Vandiver added ten points. Hall had a career high ten assists for his first career double-double. Rob Davis had a career high 42 points for Ft. Hays State.
The Hornets are back in action on Saturday, February 4 against Neb.-Kearney. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in White Auditorium. Emporia State will host an alumni game earlier in the afternoon with 15 players scheduled to come back for a 1:00 p.m. tip off.
