EMPORIA STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL MAKES WHITE AUDITORIUM DEBUT

Game #4
Emporia State Hornets (1-2, 0-0 MIAA)
vs St. Mary Spires (1-4, 0-0 KCAC)
Series Record: ESU Leads 1-0 Last Meeting: ESU 90, USM 53 (1996)
Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 • 7:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Radio: KVOE 1400AM/96.9FM  Internet Audio: kvoe.com
Television: None Internet Video: themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Live Stats • Ticket Information • Complete Game Notes in pdf
Up Next: vs Bethel • Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan.

COMING HOME
After opening the season with three games on the road, Emporia State returns to White Auditorium on Monday, November 19 to take on St. Mary. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State fell 68-58 to Newman in Wichita, Kan. on Saturday. Both teams struggled early on the offensive end of the court with the first field goal coming nearly four minutes into the game. The Hornets took the lead 6-5 with 12:53 left in the first half, but the Jets used an 8-3 run to take the lead for good. Kooper Glick had 17 points while Justin Washington had 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Aaron McGee had eight points and ten rebounds.

THE COACHES
Craig Doty is 2-1 in his first season at Emporia State. In just two seasons at Graceland Doty went 49-22 and led the Yellowjackets to the NAIA Division I National Championship in the school's first trip to the national tournament at Kansas City's historic Municipal Auditorium. Prior to his time at Graceland, Doty spent four years as the head coach at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill.  His Golden Eagles won two national championships and appeared in three straight NJCAA Division III title games.  He rolled off three straight 30 win seasons, including national championships in 2014 and 2016, to finish with a 113-28 record. In six seasons as a head coach at the NAIA and NJCAA level he is 162-50 with three national championships. Doty is 1-1 against St. Mary.
Troy Brown is 143-75 in his eighth season as head coach at St. Mary. This will be his first meeting with Emporia State.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-2 to start the season. The Hornets are averaging 68 points per game on .389 shooting from the field. They are shooting .206 from beyond the arc and .698 from the free throw line. Malik Hluchoweckyj takes lead for the Hornets averaging 13.3 points, 3 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. Kooper Glick follows close behind with 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds while Justin Washington adds 10.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Washington leads the Hornets with a .542 shooting percentage.
 
ABOUT THE SPIRES
St. Mary is 1-4 overall, 1-1 in the KCAC to start the season. The Spires average 68 points per game on .431 shooting while allowing 75.6 points to opponents on .475 shooting. They shoot .341 from byond the arc and .615 from the free throw line.  Raylon Howard leads the Spires with 13.6 points per game followed by DeMonte Sims with 12.2 and Teyvon Lundy with 9.4. Dan Hailey leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game followed by Howard with 4.8 and Cameron Southern with 4.2. Tevin Killeen has played in one game for the Spires with 17 points in 30 minutes.  

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the second meeting between Emporia State and St. Mary. The Hornets lead the all-time series 1-0 over the Spires.  

LAST TIME VS ST. MARY
Emporia State defeated the Spires 93-50 in White Auditorium during the 1996-97 season.  

UP NEXT
The Hornets continue their three game home stand on Saturday, November 24 as they take on Bethel College in White Auditorium. Tip off is scheduled for  7:30 p.m.

DOTY MAGIC
On Friday, April 27, 2018, three-time National Champion head coach Craig Doty was introduced as the new head men's basketball coach at Emporia State University by athletic director Kent Weiser. Doty holds a 163-52 head coaching record including a 71-31 mark in conference play and an unprecedented 28-4 record in the post-season.
Prior to his arrival in Emporia, Doty lead Rock Valley College and Graceland University to national prominence. In just two seasons at Graceland, Doty's program had a 49-22 record and won the 2018 NAIA Division I National Championship in the school's first trip to the national tournament at Kansas City's historic Municipal Auditorium.
Along the way Doty earned NAIA National Coach of the Year, HoopDirt.com NAIA National Coach of the Year, and the 2018 Don Meyer Award. Upon winning the 2018 national championship, Doty had led his teams to the National Championship game four out of the previous five seasons. Doty's programs at Rock Valley College won NJCAA Division III National titles in 2014 and 2016. Doty's 2015 squad came up just short finishing National Runner-up.

FRIENDLY CONFINES
Emporia State has won 160 of their last 221 games (.724) in White Auditorium. The Hornets are 382-174 (.687) since 1979 in White Auditorium.  

HORNETS RANK IN NATION IN ATTENDANCE
The Emporia State men's basketball team continued a string of 17 straight years ranking in the top 25 in attendance among the over 300 NCAA Division II basketball playing schools. The Hornets drew an average of 1,281 fans to their 17 home games at Slaymaker Court in White Auditorium during the 2017-18 season to rank 25th nationally.
Emporia State outdrew 77 NCAA Division I schools during the 2017-18 school year, including UMBC - the first #16 seed to upset a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets were among six MIAA teams in the top 25 nationally. As a conference the MIAA drew 254,807 fans to 207 games to lead all Division II conference in average attendance at 1,231 fans per game. It is the tenth straight year the MIAA has led the nation in average attendance. The MIAA's total attendance was better than eight NCAA Division I conferences. All three of the conferences in the NCAA Central Region ranked in the top seven of the Division II conferences in average attendance with nine regional teams ranked in the top 25.

ON THE COURT
The court at William L. White Auditorium was formally named Ron Slaymaker Court at half-time of the Hornets win over Washburn on Feb. 28, 2014 after the City of Emporia approved a proclamation at their Feb. 20 city commission meeting.

IN THE RAFTERS
On February 22, 2014 All-American Dale Cushinberry (1966-69) joined the five Hornets who have had their jersey's retired to the wall of White Auditorium. He was an All-American for Emporia State and became the first Hornet with 1,000 points and 700 rebounds.
•Wilbur Reeser (1944-48) - Reeser was named an NAIB All-American and was the Hornets leading scorer as the won a conference championship in 1948.
•Ron Slaymaker (Player 1954-60, Coach 1970-98) - As a player Slaymaker was named All-Conference and All-American during the 1957-58 season. As a coach he won an ESU leading 464 games from 1970-98.
•Jim Fraley (1956-60) - Fraley was the school's all-time leading scorer (1,509) until Brian Robinson broke his record in 1985. He was named Second-team NAIA All-American.
•Doug Glaysher (1960-64) - Glaysher was named an All-American after leading the Hornets to the NAIA National Semi-finals in 1964. He graduated as the second leading scorer in ESU history.
•Brian Robinson (1984-86) - Robinson was named a first team All-American in both his junior and senior season. He is the ESU all-time leading scorer with 2,533 career points.

LISTEN & WATCH LIVE
Video webcasts for all of Emporia State's regular season games are available on a pay per view basis from the MIAA Digital Network. The MIAA Network content is available live and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.  Fans can find the action on www.themiaanetwork.com and on The MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Audio of all Emporia State games are available on KFFX 104.9FM and at www.kvoe.com with Greg Rahe on the call. KFFX is in their 31st straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school. All games will also be available on the internet at www.kvoe.com

#1 Justin Tucker
6-7 • 201 • Junior • Forward
Orlando, Fla. • Dr. Phillips HS/Wofford/Indian River State College
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Indian River (Fla.) State College.  He had six points and four rebounds against Sioux Falls.
Previously
He was a second-team All-Southern Conference selection as a sophomore after averaging 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Pioneers. He played in 27 games for NCAA Division I Wofford as a freshman and had season highs of 12 points and five rebounds against UVa.-Wise. He averaged a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando, Fla.

#2 Malik Hluchoweckyj
6-1 • 175 • Senior • Guard
Omaha, Neb. • Bellevue West HS/Bowling Green State
At ESU
In his second year at Emporia State. He scored 15 points against Sioux Falls. He led the Hornets with 22 points over #20 Southwest Minnesota State to start the season.
As a Junior in 2017-18
He averaged 5.4 points for the Hornets last year. He had eight points, four rebounds and three assists against Washburn. He had a career high 15 points at Washburn. He  dished a career high five assists at Lindenwood. He scored 11 points with four rebounds and four assists at Rogers State. He scored 14 points with six rebounds against Northwestern Oklahoma. He scored 11 points on five of nine shooting with four rebounds against Drury. He scored eight points at Iowa State.
Previously
He played in 21 games over two years at Bowling Green State before transferring to ESU.
He was a two time First-Team Nebraska Super-State selection for Bellevue West HS.

#3 Hassan Thomas
6-8 • 215 • Senior • Forward
Dallas, Texas • Woodrow Wilson HS/Ill.-Chicago
At ESU
In his second season with the Hornets. He had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State.
As a Junior in 2017-18
He averaged 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. He was ranked seventh in the MIAA in offensive rebounding. He scored 12 points and had five rebounds against Washburn. He scored 15 points with five rebounds, three steals and two blocks at Neb.-Kearney. He had 12 points and nine boards at Ft. Hays State. He scored 16 points and pulled seven rebounds against Southwest Baptist. He had 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots against Rockhurst. He pulled down a career high 12 rebounds against Drury. He scored a career high 24 points on nine of 13 shooting from the field, including a five of five effort from the three-point arc against Sioux Falls. He scored ten points, all in the second half, at Iowa State.
Previously
He played in 28 games over two years at Illinois-Chicago.
He was a first-team Class 5A All-State selection in Texas for Woodrow Wilson HS in Dallas. He averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game as a senior.

#4 Kam Rowan
6-0 • 185 • Senior • Guard
Champaign, Ill. • Central HS/Des Moines Area CC/Upper Iowa
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Upper Iowa. He scored seven points at Kansas.
Previously
He averaged 20.2 minutes per contest and 7.1 points per game as a junior at Upper Iowa. He totaled 61 assists, good for third on the team. He scored a career high 15 points against Augustana and reached double figures 11 times. He tallied a career best nine rebounds at Augustana. He dished out a career high seven assists at Concordia-St. Paul.
He was at Des Moines Area Community College from 2014-16.

#11 Grant Shell
6-3 • 180 • Junior • Guard
Burlington, Kan. • Burlington HS/Fresno State
At ESU
In his second season with the Hornets after transferring from Fresno State. He scored 11 points against Sioux Falls.
As a Sophomore in 2017-18
He scored a team high 16 points with four steals against Washburn last season. He had 15 points and six rebounds against Central Missouri. He was four of five from the field for 14 points against Northeastern State. He had 13 points with three treys against Central Oklahoma. He scored a career high 18 points at Lindenwood with four made three-pointers. He had 12 points against Newman. He had 13 points with three three-pointers against Sioux Falls. He scored a team high 11 points at Iowa State.   
Previously
He played in six games as a freshman at Fresno State in 2015-16 before redshirting in 2016-17.
He was a two-time all-state selection for Burlington HS, earning Class 4A honors as a junior and Class 3A honors his senior season. He was a three-time all-league honoree for the Wildcats. He averaged 17 points per game as a senior.

#12 Julius Jackson
6-1 • 171 • Senior • Guard
Arlington, Texas • Lamar HS/Weatherford/Trinity Valley CC/Presentation
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Presentation College.
Previously
He averaged 23.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and was fifth in NAIA Division II in points per game. He had a season high 41 points on 17 of 25 shooting against Dickinson State in a stretch where he scored at least 30 points in four straight games. Prior to Presentation he played at Weatherford College and Trinity Valley College in Texas. He was an All-District performer for Arlington Lamar HS where he averaged 20.6 points, five rebounds and five assists per game as a senior.

#14 Duncan Fort
6-6 • 230 • Sophomore • Forward
Osage City, Kan. • Osage City HS
At ESU
In his third season with the Hornets.  He had two rebounds at Kansas.
As a Freshman in 2017-18
He scored a career high 12 points, all in the second half, at Pittsburg State last seaosn on four of six shooting from the field with three rebounds. He hit a free throw with 1.5 seconds left against Central Oklahoma. He had six points and five rebounds at Missouri. He had seven points and two rebounds at Kansas State.  
He had a team high ten points in ten minutes at the exhibition game at Kansas in 2016-17 before redshirting the regular season.
Previously
He was a first-team All-Kansas player for Osage City HS in 2015-16. His father Dennis played at Emporia State from 1985-89.

#20 Aaron McGee
6-5 • 186 • Junior • Forward
Bonner Springs, Kan. • Bonner Springs HS/Cowley CC
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Cowley CC. He had nine points and five rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State. McGee scored eight points and had ten rebounds vs. Newman.
Previously
He spent the last two years at Cowley CC.  He started all 31 games and averaged 7.7 points with 4.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He had a season high 16 points on seven of nine shooting from the field at Dodge City CC. He played in all 32 games as a freshman and averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
He averaged 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game with a 2.24 assist to turnover ratio as a senior for Bonner Springs HS.  He was an All-Class 5A honorable mention pick as a senior.

#21 Danny Hodge
6-1 • 163 • Junior • Guard
Spring Hill, Kan. • Spring Hill HS
At ESU
In his fourth season with the Hornets.
As a Sophomore in 2017-18
He had three rebounds at Pittsburg State last year. He had five points with four rebounds at Lindenwood. He scored five points at Missouri and hit a three pointer with 46 seconds left to pull the Hornets within two points. He tied his career high with ten points against Kansas Wesleyan and added three assists and two steals.
As a Freshman in 2016-17
He scored six points in five minutes at Washburn as a freshman in 2016-17. He had ten points against Kansas Christian in his first career start.
Previously
He red-shirted his first year at Emporia State after graduating from Spring Hill HS where he played for former Hornet Wes Book.

#22 Jack Dale
6-2 • 187 • Sophomore • Guard
Tonganoxie, Kan. • Tonganoxie HS
At ESU
In his third season with the Hornets.  
As a Freshman in 2017-18
He had his first career start against Southwest Baptist last year. He scored five points against Central Missouri. He had a career high six points at Pittsburg State. He scored three points in four minutes against Central Oklahoma. He had five points and three assists with two rebounds against Kansas Wesleyan. He scored six points on three of four shooting at Iowa State. He red-shirted for Emporia State in 2016-17.
Previously
He was an honorable mention all-state performer at Basehor-Linwood HS as a senior in 2015-16.

#23 Marquis McCray
6-4 • 185 • Junior • Forward
Wichita, Kan. • Wichita Heights HS/Dodge City CC
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Dodge City CC.  
Previously
He started 13 of 31 games for the Conquistadors last year and averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He averaged 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a senior for Wichita Heights HS.

#24 Justin Washington
6-6 • 225 • Sophomore • Forward
Springfield, Mo. • Crane HS/Evangel
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Evangel. He scored 16 points with seven rebounds in 19 minutes against Newman. He recorded ten points and three rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State. He had a team high ten rebounds at Kansas.
Previously
He led Evangel with 18.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, starting all 26 games he played in last season. A 2014 Crane HS graduate he went to Evangel last season. He helped lead the Pirates to the 2014 District title before injuring his knee and after being out of basketball for the three years.

#30 Sawyer Glick
6-5 • 185 • Senior • Guard
Columbus, Ind. • Columbus North HS/Spring Hill/Barry
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from 2018 NCAA Divison II Elite Eight team Barry.  He had ten points and two rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State.
Previously
He started 31 of 32 games for the Buccaneers last season.  He averaged 13.8 points per game with three 30 point games in the regular season highlighted by a ten of 17 effort from behind the arc for 34 points in a win at Rollins. He ranked tenth in the nation last year with 103 made three-pointers and was third in the Sunshine State Conference with a .395 three-point percentage. He averaged 10.9 points on .421 shooting from behind the arc as a sophomore for Barry.  He was the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year for NCAA Division II Spring Hill College in 2015-16. He averaged 15.8 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Badgers. He has made 237 three-pointers in his career while the Emporia State career record is 216 by Sean Robbins from 1991-95. He averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game as a senior at Columbus (Ind.) North HS.

#32 Kooper Glick
6-4 • 201 • Senior • Forward
Columbus, Ind. • Columbus North HS/Rock Valley College/Barry
At ESU
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from 2018 NCAA Divison II Elite Eight team Barry. He scored 17 points at Newman. He recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State.
Previously
He led Barry with a .900 free throw percentage last year and was a perfect 13 of 13 from the line in the post season.  He played in 61 games in two years with two starts, including the South Region Championship game.  He played his freshman season for Coach Doty at Rock Valley College.  He averaged 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Eagles as they won the NJCAA Division III National Championship. He prepped at Columbus (Ind.) North HS and averaged 16.8 points per game as a senior.