HORNETS CRACK 100 POINTS IN WIN OVER SAINT MARY

November 29, 2019-Emporia State used a 19-0 run in the first half to take control on the way to a 104-63 win over Saint Mary (Kan.) on Friday in White Auditorium.
 
The Spires jumped out to a 9-4 lead forcing the Hornets to call an early timeout just four minutes into the game. The teams traded buckets until Keyon Thomas hit a three-pointer with 15:01 left to ignite a 19-0 run. Emporia State hit five straight from the field to end the run and go up 29-14 with 6:49 left in the half.  They would take a 17 points lead with 4:14 left on a Dallas Bailey three-pointer before Saint Mary went on a 6-1 run to cut the lead to 12 with 3:19 remaining.  Thomas hit a three-pointer with 58 seconds left to give the Hornets their biggest lead of the half at 44-26 before going to the half up 44-28.
 
Emporia State scored the first seven points out of the locker room to take a 51-28 lead with 17:19 left in the game. The spread was still under 20 points with 8:54 left when the Hornets went on a 14-2 run to go up 81-50 with 5:36 remaining.  Emporia State hit six of seven from the field, including a three for three effort from beyond the arc, during a 16-0 run take a 97-54 lead with 1:51 left. Justin Balcome hit a three from the corner with 1:31 left to give the Hornets 100 points and his dunk with 27 seconds left gave Emporia State their biggest lead of the night at 104-60. Nick Funk hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds left to make the final score 104-63.
 
Zac Owens had a game and career high 24 points on six of seven shooting while Keyon Thomas had his fourth straight 20 point game with 21 points and six steals.  They were joined in double figures by Justin Balcome with 14 points while Brenden Van Dyke added 12 points and three blocks.  Mason Thiessen had a game high nine rebounds while Justin Williams dished six assists.
 
The Hornets will begin MIAA play on Thursday, December 5 against Neb.-Kearney.  Tip-off from White Auditorium is set for 7:30 p.m.