January 16, 2019- Emporia State Men's Basketball fell 82-71 to Fort Hays State on Wednesday in White Auditorium. The Hornets first half lead was not enough to hold against the Tigers second half shooting surge.
After the Tigers scored first, the Hornets knocked down two quick threes to take the 6-3 lead with 18:20 on the clock. With 14:28 left in the half, the Tigers tied the game at 10-10 before a 2:08 scoring drought.
Fort Hays State would break the drought, but the Hornets would answer with a 12-0 run to take a 22-12 lead at the 8:17 mark. Back-and-forth scoring over the final eight minutes led to a 39-26 Hornets lead at the half.
Justin Washington scored the first basket of the second half just ten seconds in to extend the Hornets lead to 41-26. Over the next 7:17, the Tigers used a 26-6 run to take a 52-47 lead.
The Tigers took their largest lead at 65-53 with 8:21 left in the game. The Hornets fought back into the game to bring the score to 65-61 with 6:21 left as Malik Hluchoweckyj scored six straight points for the Hornets. After back-and-forth scoring to end the game, the Tigers sealed the game with two free-throws at the 24 second mark.
The Hornets outshot the Tigers 55.8% to 55.6% but were outshot 58.6% to 36.4% from behind the arc. The Tigers hit 17 threes in the game and shot 60.7% from three in the second half.
Justin Washington led the Hornets with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Malik Hluchowechyj joined him in double digits with 16 points and added three assists and two steals for the Hornets.
The Hornets will be back in action on Sunday, January 20 to play host to Nebraska Kearney in White Auditorium. Tip off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
