November 26, 2019-Emporia State hit six of six free throws down the stretch to secure a 75-67 win over William Jewell in the final game of the MIAA Thanksgiving Challenge in historic Municipal Auditorium.
Â
The Cardinals jumped out an 8-3 lead to open the game and force Emporia State to call a timeout just 2:09 into the game. The Hornets responded with a 12-2 run to take a 15-10 lead with 13:41 left in the half. William Jewell came back to taka 24-23 lead and the two bounced back and forth until Emporia State scored the final four points of the half to take a 42-26 lead into the break.
Â
The Hornets never trailed in the second half but the Cardinals did pull within a point on two occasions. The last one came with 3:20 left when Nick Bradley picked off a pass and went coast to coast to make it 65-64. Turner put the Hornets up 67-64 when he rebounded his own miss and put it back in with 2:30 remaining. Bradley hit one of two free throws with 2:09 left to pull WJC within 67-65 and neither team would score again until
Keyon Thomas scored inside with 41.5 seconds left to give Emporia State a four point lead. Mason Alexander was fouled with 31.9 seconds left and hit both free throws to make it 69-67. Turner, Thomas and
Dallas Bailey then combined to hit six straight free throws in the final 23.8 to seal the 75-67 win.
Â
Jumah'Ri Turner and
Keyon Thomas each scored 22 points to lead the Hornets.Â
Brenden Van Dyke had a game high 11 rebounds as Emporia State outrebounded William Jewell 48-34 on the night.
Â
The Hornets are back in action on Black Friday when they take on Saint Mary (Kan.) in White Auditorium. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. following the Lady Hornets non-conference game with Washburn.
Â
