February 27, 2017-The career of Emporia State seniors Tyler Jordan, Jay Temaat, Jevon Taylor, Josh Pedersen and Terrence Sardin came to an end with a 62-49 loss at Central Oklahoma in the First Round of the MIAA Tournament. The five seniors came in together as freshmen for the 2013-14 season and played in a combined 552 games - the most by a Hornet senior class since joining the NCAA.
The Bronchos scored the first four points but the Hornets would use a 5-0 run to take a 10-9 lead at the second media timeout. With the score tied at 19, UCO went on a 14-3 run to take a 33-22 lead with 2:48 left in the half and took a 37-26 lead into the lockerroom.
The Hornets cut the lead to eight at 39-31 on a Jevon Taylor three-pointer with 16:14 left in the game. The Bronchos used a 7-0 run to go back up by 13 with 11:42 left at 48-35. Emporia State then had their best run of the night, getting back to back three-pointers from Josh Pedersen and Tyler Jordan followed by a layup from Jordan to cut the lead to five at 48-43 with 9:20 remaining. Neither team hit field goal over the next two minutes as the Bronchos went four of four from the line before Terrence Sardin scored inside with 7:20 left to make it 52-45.
Sardin scored again with 5:34 left to make it 54-47 but that would be the last field goal for Emporia State on the night. Central Oklahoma used an 8-0 run over the next four minutes and took their biggest lead of the night at 62-47 with 1:40 left. Brandon Hall hit two free throws with 40.4 seconds left to break the run and make the final score 62-49.
Hall was the only Hornet in double figures with ten points. Emporia State outrebounded Central Oklahoma 33-29 but had a season high 23 turnovers that led to 25 points for the Bronchos.
Emporia State ends the season 13-16 overall after going 9-10 in the MIAA. They are set to return seven of their 12 players from this season including second-team All-MIAA performer Brandon Hall, and will add redshirt freshmen Duncan Fort and Jack Dale.
