HORNET MEN FALL IN TURNPIKE TUSSLE 83-69 AT WASHBURN

January 6, 2018-Emporia State led most of the first half and were within a point midway through the second half before Washburn closed the game on a 26-13 run in the final ten minutes on the way to an 83-69 victory in the Turnpike Tussle.
 
There were four ties and five lead changes in the first eight minutes of action before Emporia State went on an 11-3 run to take a 27-20 lead with 8:56 left in the half.  Brandon Hall started the run with an old-fashioned three-point play and scored five points in the run.  Malik Hluchoweckyj hit a pair of free throws with 7:08 left in the half to give the Hornets a 31-23 lead. 
 
The Ichabods answered with a 9-0 run and took the lead on the second of Cameron Wiggins two free throws with 4:44 left.  The teams traded scores the rest of the half until Hall gave the Hornets a three point lead with 35.2 seconds left.  Brady Skeens then scored on a put back as the half ended as Emporia State took a 39-38 lead to the locker room.
 
Hall gave the Hornets a three-point lead just nine seconds into the second half before the Ichabods scored five straight to retake the lead on a Javion Blake three-pointer with 17:37 left in the half. Hall would give the Hornets a 45-43 lead with a fast break layup at the 16:42 mark but was answered 20 seconds later by Blake layup to tie the game.  Stephaun Limuel gave Emporia State their last lead of the night at 47-45 with 15:50 left on two free throws.  Skeens tied the game with two free throws of his own with 15:37 left and Isaac Clark gave them the lead for good with a three-pointer with 14:57 left.
 
Jace Williams follow dunk with 12:06 remaining put Washburn up 57-51 before Limuel and Hall combined on a 5-0 mini-run to pull Emporia State within one with 10:20 left.  The Ichabods then went on a 12-1 run to take a 69-57 lead with 6:35 left.  Washburn scored seven of the 11 points during the run from the free throw line.  The lead would not drop below double digits the rest of the way with Washburn leading by as many as 17 points before Hall hit a three-pointer with 40 seconds left for the final score.
 
Hall had a game high 22 points to lead four Hornets in double figures.  Limuel had his fifth double-double of the year with 14 points and ten rebounds.  Hluchoweckyj had 15 points and Garin Vandiver added ten off the bench for Emporia State.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Wednesday, January 10 when they play host to Central Oklahoma.  Tip-off from White Auditorium is set for 7:30 p.m.