February 25, 2017-Jay Temaat hit three-pointer with 5.3 seconds left to force overtime but Emporia State could not finish the comeback in a 83-76 overtime loss to Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium. The outcome sets up a rematch on Monday afternoon between the two in Edmond in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.
The Bronchos led by as many as ten points in the first half, the last time at 31-21 with 4:13 left in the period. The Hornets closed the half on a 10-4 run to go into the half down 35-31.
Central Oklahoma got out to an 11 point lead midway through the second half before Emporia State started another comeback. Jay Temaat and Brandon Hall hit back to back three-pointers to start a 15-4 run. A pair of Josh Pedersen free throws completed the run with 5:33 remaining as the Hornets tied the score at 56-56. Neither team would take more than a four point lead the rest of the way.
Marquis Johnson gave the Bronchos a 67-63 lead with a minute remaining. Hall hit one of two free throws with 43 seconds left to pull the Hornets within three and then hit one of two from the line with 14.7 left to bring ESU within two points. Jake Hammonds hit one of two free throws with 12.7 seconds left to give UCO a 67-64 lead. The Hornets found Temaat at the top of key and he buried a 22 footer with 5.3 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
Hammonds scored inside to start the overtime for the Bronchos. Hall evened the game with a layup with 4:24 remaining but the Bronchos would go on an 11-2 run, converting six of six free throws along the way to take an 81-75 lead with 35 seconds left. A Pedersen three-pointer cut the lead to six with 29 seconds remaining. Jordan London then hit two free throws with 25 seconds left and Emporia State missed two layups with under 20 seconds left before Hall hit one of two free throws with 9.9 seconds left for the final score.
Hall had 22 points and was joined in double figures by Temaat with 18 points.
The Hornets will travel to Edmond, Okla. on Monday to take on the Bronchos in the first round of the MIAA Tournament. Emporia State is the tenth seed while Central Oklahoma is the seventh seed. Tip-off from Hamilton Field House is set for 7:00 p.m. The winner will take on second seeded Central Missouri at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium.
