December 6, 2018-The #24 Lady Hornets had four players in double figures as they opened MIAA play with a 72-64 win at Neb.-Kearney on Thursday night.
Emporia State jumped out to an 11-3 lead midway through the first quarter, but would then go nearly ten minutes without a made field goal. The Lopers took their biggest lead of the night at 23-15 with 7:26 left in the half when the Lady Hornets went on a 14-0 run fueled by five steals. UNK broke the run with a jumper by Elisa Backes with 33 seconds left but Emily Miller buried a three-pointer with six seconds left to give Emporia State a 32-25 lead at the break.
The teams played fairly even in the third quarter before UNK went on a 6-0 run to pull within 44-43 with 1:52 left in the period. Kali Martin hit a three-pointer with 52 seconds left to push the lead back to four points. After a Brooke Carlson bucket inside, Addie Lackey scored with 11 seconds left to give Emporia State a 49-45 lead going to the fourth quarter.
An old-fashioned three-point play by Maegan Holt pulled the Lopers within one at 53-52 with 8:23 left. Emily Miller hit a three pointer and Lackey scored on a fast break to push the Lady Hornet lead back up to six at 58-52 with 6:51 left. A three-pointer from Tyra Jones gave Emporia State a 66-58 lead with 2:58 left and Jessica Wayne gave the Lady Hornets their biggest lead of the night at 69-60 with 46 seconds remaining.
Tyra Jones led all scorers with 25 points and 11 rebounds for her second straight double-double. She was joined in double figures by Emily Miller with 17 points while Addie Lackey and Jessica Wayne each scored ten points.
The #24 Lady Hornets travel to Hays, Kan. on Saturday to take on #9 Ft. Hays State. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. in Gross Coliseum.
