February 1, 2017 - The #12 Lady Hornets evened the season series with a 59-48 win over Fort Hays on Wednesday evening in White Auditorium. Emporia State improves to 18-3 on the season, 9-3 in the MIAA.
CLOSE BEGINNINGS
After Fort Hays scored the first basket, a three pointer from Emma Stroyan, Emporia State took a 6-4 lead with a jumper from Kyrstie Miller at the 7:06 mark. The Tigers tied the game at 6-6 with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter when the two teams went on a three and a half minute scoring drought. The Lady Hornets scored four of the final six points of the quarter to lead 10-8 heading into the second quarter.
MOMENTUM
Fort Hays opened up the second quarter with another three pointer, this time from Jill Faxon, to take an 11-10 lead. Emporia State answered with an 11-0 run to take a 22-11 lead with 6:50 left in the first half. A momentum changer in the run included back-to-back three point plays by Kelly Moten, one traditional and one from the arc. The Tigers got within four points, 24-20, at the 1:40 mark, but the Lady Hornets would lead 27-20 going into the lockerroom after a layup by Shelby Baker with five seconds remaining. At halftime, Emporia State was shooting eight for nine from the stripe, Fort Hays just one for two.
CLAIMING THE WIN
Emporia State began the second half on a 9-2 run spanning the first six minutes. The Lady Hornets did not let the Tigers get any closer than seven points in the third quarter, leading 38-31 going into the fourth. Fort Hays went on an 8-0 run that ran from the end of the third quarter into the beginning of the fourth. The Tigers were within four, 42-38, at the 6:41 mark before the Lady Hornets pulled away for a 59-48 win, outscoring Fort Hays 21-17 in the fourth quarter. The Lady Hornets had 16 points in the paint in the fourth quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS
Moten led the Lady Hornets with 13 points, shooting a perfect four for four from the line with three steals. Addie Lackey followed with 12 points, shooting six for ten from the field. Kyrstie Miller joined in double digits with ten points. Kathryn Flott led all players with 15 rebounds, four offensive. Emporia State had 38 points in the paint compared to Fort Hays' 14 points. The Lady Hornets held the Tigers to 28.3% shooting. Emporia State shot 13 for 16 from the stripe on the night.
UP NEXT
The #12 Lady Hornets will host Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 4, tip off beginning at 3:30 p.m. The alumni game will be played at 12:00 p.m. in White Auditorium before the Lady Hornets take the court.Â
