HORNET BASKETBALL PLAYS HOST TO BLUE TIGERS ON GROUNDHOG DAY

Men's Basketball | 2/1/2019 4:02:00 PM

Game #20
Emporia State Hornets (8-11, 3-7 MIAA)
vs. Lincoln Blue Tigers (14-5, 7-3 MIAA)
Saturday, Feb. 2 • 3:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • WL White Auditorium (5,000)
Series Record: ESU leads 17-9 Last Meeting: ESU 77, at LU 75 (Dec. 16, 2017)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM  Internet Audio: kvoe.com
Television: None Internet Video: themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Live Stats • Ticket Info • Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: at Southwest Baptist • Thur., Feb. 7 • 7:30 p.m. • Bolivar, Mo. • Meyer Sports Center (2,925)

BREAK THE CYCLE
Emporia State takes on Lincoln looking to win two in a row in conference action for the first time since a three game winning streak in 2016-17.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State had four players in double figures, three coming off the bench as they pulled away in an 85-68 win over Lindenwood on Thursday. The Lions scored the first five points of the game and led 16-9 with 12:09 left in the first half.  The Hornets then went on a 20-5 run and took a 29-21 lead with 7:03 left in the half. Emporia State led 42-38 at the break, but Lindenwood scored four points in the first 30 seconds of the second half to tie the game.  The Lions led 46-45 with 15:46 left when the Hornets went on a 10-0 run in the next two minutes to take the lead for good. Emporia State led by six with 4:08 left when they went on a 7-0 run to take a 78-65 lead with 1:41 left. They would hit five of five free throws in the final 1:26 to pull away for the 17 point victory.  Julius Jackson had a career high 30 points while Hassan Thomas had 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Hornets.

THE COACHES
Craig Doty is 8-11 in his first season at Emporia State. In his seventh season as a head coach at the D2, NAIA, and NJCAA level he is 170-61 with three national championships. In two seasons at Graceland, Doty went 49-22 and won the 2018 NAIA Division I National Championship. Prior to Graceland, Doty spent four years as the head coach at Rock Valley College. His Golden Eagles won two national championships and appeared in three straight NJCAA Division III title games to finish with a 113-28 record. This is his first meeting with Lincoln.
John Moseley is 66-70 in his fifth year at Lincoln. He is 4-2 against Emporia State.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 8-11 on the season, 3-7 in the MIAA. The Hornets have five players averaging  in double figures led by Malik Hluchoweckyj at 13.4 points per game.

ABOUT THE BLUE TIGERS
Lincoln is 14-5 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA. They have four starters in double figures on the season and all five are in double figures in MIAA play. Terrence Smith is averaging 16.6 points per game to rank 11th in the MIAA.

SERIES HISTORY
This is the 27th meeting between the two with Emporia State holding a 17-9 overall advantage.

LAST TIME VS LINCOLN
Emporia State built a 15 point lead early in the second half and then held on for a 77-75 road win at Lincoln. The Hornets forced the Blue Tigers into 12 first half turnovers as Emporia State took a 40-30 lead into the locker room. A three-pointer from Brian Morton gave the Hornets a 45-30 lead with 19:00 left in the game.  Lincoln would use a 12-0 run midway through the second half to turn a nine point deficit into a three point lead at 61-58 with 7:36 left.  Emporia State answered with a 7-0 run to retake the lead at 65-61 with 6:11 remaining.  Grant Shell gave the Hornets the lead for good with a three-pointer at the 1:23 mark. Brian Morton led Emporia State with 20 points and eight rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Stephaun Limuel with 13 and Garin Vandiver with 12 points.   

UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Bolivar, Mo. to take on Southwest Baptist on February 7. Tip-off in the Meyer Sports Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
HISTORICAL SCORING PERSPECTIVE
Six players - Malik Hluchoweckyj, Hassan Thomas, Julius Jackson, Justin Washington, Sawyer Glick and Kooper Glick - have scored at least 20 points in a game for the Hornets this season.  That is the most since Tony Travis, Greg Patton, Thomas Vincent, Aaron Shaw, Demond Perris and Shawn Hermann all scored at least 20 points in a game during the 2003-04 season that ended with the Hornets first trip to the NCAA Tournament. That year it took until the 22nd game of the year for the sixth player to hit 20 points.
The Hornets 127 points against Bethel is a school record, breaking the old mark of 124 against Midwestern State in four overtimes in the 2007-08 season and against Mid-America Nazarene in 1985

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 is 57-33 as a head coach at four year schools  and holds an 8-11 record since taking over for the Hornets.  He is 169-61 in his seventh year at the NCAA D2, NAIA and NJCAA levels, including a 74-38 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. The Yellowjackets started the 2017-18 season 10-8 and ended the year winning 19 of their final 21 games. 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.
Doty's programs at Rock Valley College won NJCAA Division III National titles in 2014 and 2016 while his 2015 squad came up just short finishing National Runner-up.

TOUGH ENOUGH
According to the latest NCAA stats Emporia State has played the 13th toughest schedule in the nation to date and the 11th toughest when combining their previous and future opponents. As a league the MIAA has the best non-conference record in the country with a 96-40 (.705) record against all opponents and a 62-38 (.620) record against Division II foes.  The NSIC is 70-35 (.666) overall and 33-30 (.523) against D2 schools while the GAC is 44-37 (.543) overall with a 27-30 (.473) record against Division II competition.

FRIENDLY CONFINES
The Hornets are 386-177 (.685) since 1979 in White Auditorium. Emporia State has won 170 of their last 242 games (.702) in White Auditorium dating back to the 2002-03 season. In the last 35 years, they have twice had home court winning streaks of 23 games, the first was from 1985-87 with the most recent one coming from February 12, 2003-December 18, 2004.

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, 2014  city commission meeting.

AND 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. Content is available live and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event at 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.

#2 MALIK HLUCHOWECKYJ
6-1 • 175 • Senior • Guard
Omaha, Neb. • Bellevue West HS/Bowling Green State
As A Senior in 2018-19
He is eighth in the MIAA in assists and 11th in assist to turnover ratio. He had 12 points and five assists at Mo. Southern. He scored ten points at Pitt State. He scored a game high 16 points against Neb.-Kearney. He scored 16 points against Fort Hays State. He scored 16 points with five assists at Mo. Western. He had 14 points at Northwest Missouri. He scored 18 points on six of nine shooting from the field and added seven rebounds and six assists at Northwestern Okla. He had 15 points and a career high 11 assists against McPherson. He scored 16 points at Rockhurst. He had 20 points and seven rebounds at Ft. Hays State. He led all scorers with 20 points against Rogers State. He led the Hornets with a career high 22 points and added five rebounds and four assists against Southwest Minnesota State.
As A Junior in 2017-18
He averaged 5.4 points for the Hornets last year. He had 15 points at Washburn. He dished five assists at Lindenwood. He scored 14 points with six rebounds against Northwestern Oklahoma. 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
As a Senior in 2018-19
He scored 17 points with 12 rebounds against Lindenwood. He had nine points and eight rebounds at Mo. Southern. He scored seven points with four rebounds at Pitt State. He pulled five rebounds at Northwest Missouri. He had 15 points and nine rebounds against Rogers State. He scored a career high 30 points in 22 minutes against Bethel. He had 19 points and five boards against Saint Mary. He recorded a double-double with 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 scored 12 points and had five rebounds against Washburn. He scored 15 points 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.
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
As a Senior in 2018-19
He scored an Emporia State career high 11 points against Lindenwood. He had ten points and five assists at Missouri Southern. He got his first start and scored nine points at Pitt State. Scored seven points with five rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. Had seven points on 3-3 shooting against Fort Hays State. Scored two points and recorded a block in the win at Missouri Western. He had six points against Washburn. He had four points and three assists against McPherson. He scored five points against Rogers State. He had eight points and seven assists off the bench against Saint Mary. He scored seven points at Kansas.
Previously
Played in all 33 games off the bench as a junior at Upper Iowa. He averaged 20.2 minutes per contest and 7.1 points per game. He shot 43.5% from the field and connected on 10 triples. He averaged 2.7 rebounds per game, and shot 77.8% from the foul line. 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.

#11 GRANT SHELL
6-3 • 180 • Junior • Guard
Burlington, Kan. • Burlington HS/Fresno State
As a Senior in 2018-19
Got his first start of the season at Pitt State. Had two assists against Fort Hays State. He scored ten points against McPherson, going three of four from behind the three-point line. He scored five points with three rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. He had nine points and went two of three from three-point range against Rogers State. Shell scored 14 points on three of four shooting from three point range in a win over Bethel. He scored 11 points against Sioux Falls.
As a Junior in 2018-19
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 scored 11 points and hit three three-pointers against Rockhurst. 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
As A Senior in 2018-19
He scored a Emporia State career high 30 points on just 13 shots against Lindenwood. He had 22 points on seven of nine shooting at Missouri Southern. He had seven points against Neb.-Kearney. Scored five points in eight minutes against Fort Hays State. He scored eight points on three of six shooting at Missouri Western. He had 21 points against Washburn. He was ten of 14 from the free throw line for 15 points in 17 minutes at Northwestern Oklahoma. He scored 16 points in 16 minutes at Rockhurst. He had 21 points and made nine of 11 from the free throw line at Ft. Hays State. He scored 21 points on 8-11 shooting against Bethel after his debut performance of 13 points and four rebounds against Saint Mary. Jackson sat out the first three games of the season planning to redshirt.  
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
As a Sophomore in 2018-19
He hit a three-pointer at Missouri Southern. He had nine points and seven rebounds at Northwestern Oklahoma. He scored a career high 13 points against McPherson. He earned his first career start at Rockhurst and finished with eight points and five rebounds. He had a team high seven rebounds in ten minutes against Saint Mary.  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 season 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 scored five points against Kansas Wesleyan. He had an assist against Sioux Falls. He scored five points with four rebounds at Iowa State. He had seven points and two rebounds at Kansas State.
He red-shirted during the 2016-17 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
As a Junior in 2018-19
He had seven rebounds at Missouri Southern. He scored three points against Neb.-Kearney and four points against Fort Hays State. He was four of seven from the field for eight points and had four assists and two steals at Mo Western. He was perfect from the field for six points against McPherson and added two steals. He had six points and four rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. He scored five points and pulled down eight rebounds against Rogers State. He pulled five rebounds and had four assists against Saint Mary. He scored eight points and had ten rebounds at Newman. He had nine points and five rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota.
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
As a Junior in 2018-19
Got his first start of the season at Pitt State. He is in his fourth season with the Hornets. He scored five points against Washburn. He pulled in two rebounds and dished out two assists against Bethel. He had two points and an assist against Saint Mary.
As a Sophomore in 2017-18
He had three rebounds at Pittsburg State. 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. • Basehor-Linwood HS
As A Sophomore in 2018-19
He has played in eight games this season. He scored two points at Pitt State. He was three of four from the free throw line against Bethel. He scored seven points and was perfect from the field against Saint Mary.
As A Freshman in 2017-18
He had his first career start against Southwest Baptist. He scored five points against Central Missouri. He had a career high six points at Pitt State. He scored three points against Central Okla. 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
As A Junior in 2018-19
He has played in eight games this year. He scored a career high nine points with ten boards at Pitt State.  He played a season high nine minutes against Bethel. He hit the only shot against Saint Mary.  
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
As A Sophomore in 2018-19
He has left the team to return to Springfield, Mo. for personal reasons. He was ranked seventh in the MIAA in rebounding. He had ten points and six boards at Mo. Southern. He scored 11 points with five rebounds at Pitt State. He scored 11 points with five rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. He scored 19 points and 10 rebounds against Fort Hays State. He had career highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds at Missouri Western. He scored ten points with three treys against Washburn. He scored 18 points, 15 in the first half, along with nine rebounds at Rockhurst. He scored 14 points with five rebounds at Ft. Hays State. He led the Hornets with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. He scored 14 points and had six rebounds with five steals against Saint Mary. He scored 16 points with seven rebounds against Newman. He recorded ten points and three rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State.
Previously
He led Evangel with 18.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in 26 games last season. A 2014 Crane HS graduate he went to Evangel last season. He helped lead the Pirates to the 2014 District title.

#30 SAWYER GLICK
6-5 • 185 • Senior • Guard
Columbus, Ind. • Columbus North HS/Spring Hill/Barry
As A Senior in 2018-19
He is seventh in the MIAA in made three-pointers per game. He hit three three-pointers against Lindenwood for nine points. He led the Hornets with 14 points at Pitt State. He scored 15 points and went three for five from beyond the arc at Missouri Western. He had nine points and five rebounds against Washburn. He had 19 points and hit five of ten treys at Northwestern Oklahoma. He scored an ESU career high 20 points with six made treys against McPherson. Had eight points on three of seven shooting against Rogers State. He scored 15 points with five three pointers against Bethel and 16 points hitting four treys against Saint Mary. He had ten points and two rebounds against #20 Southwest Minnesota State.
Previously
He started 31 of 32 games for D-2 Elite Eight team Barry 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 280 three-pointers in his career to rank third among active NCAA Division II players.
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
As A Senior in 2018-19
He is third in the MIAA and ranked 22nd in the nation in free throw percentage. He scored 11 points against Lindenwood after a four game double digit scoring drought. He did not play against Pitt State. He scored nine points against Fort Hays State. He scored 12 points at Missouri Western. He had an Emporia State career high 22 points at Northwest Missouri. He scored 12 points with six assists against Washburn. He had 13 points at Northwestern Oklahoma. He scored 16 points with six assists at Rockhurst. He had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists at Ft. Hays State. He had 11 points and six rebounds against Neb.-Kearney. He scored 19 points on six of 11 shooting from the field against Rogers State. He scored 18 points against Bethel and had a career high 20 points on six of eight shooting from the field against Saint Mary. He scored 17 against Newman. He recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in his first start against #20 Southwest Minnesota.
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.

#1 JUSTIN TUCKER
6-7 • 201 • Junior • Forward
Orlando, Fla. • Dr. Phillips HS/Wofford/Indian River State College
As a Junior in 2018-19
In his first season with the Hornets after transferring from Indian River (Fla.) State College. He injured his ankle after the Newman game and is out for the season. 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.