March 6, 2019-Emporia State overcame a 16 point deficit early in the second half to post a 72-68 victory over Northeastern State in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. With the win the Hornets advance to the quarterfinals against top ranked Northwest Missouri on Thursday at 12 noon.
The RiverHawks jumped out to a 6-1 lead to open the game. The Hornets came back to tie the game at 6-6 with 15:27 left before NSU went on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. Emporia State closed to within 22-21 on a pair of Grant Shell free throws with 6:42 left when the RiverHawks went on a 10-0 run to go up 32-21 with 3:44 left in the half. Caleb Smith scored at the buzzer to give Northeastern State a 39-26 lead going to the locker rooms.
Trent Cantrell hit a three-pointer to give the RiverHawks their biggest lead of the game at 42-26 30 seconds into the second half. The Hornets then went on a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to pull within 44-41 with 13:44 left in the game. Emporia State tied the game at 49 on a Duncan Fort put back with 11:32 left only to see Northeastern State go on a 9-1 run. A dunk and free throw by Aaron Givens gave the RiverHawks a 61-53 lead with 6:01 left. The Hornets answered with a 14-1 run that included three three-pointers from Sawyer Glick as Emporia State took a 67-62 lead with 2:47 left.
Julius Jackson hit a pair of free throws with 26.8 seconds left to give Emporia State a 71-68 lead. Hassan Thomas had one of the biggest defensive plays of the season for the Hornets on the ensuing possession as he blocked Cantrell's layup with grabbed the rebound with 12.5 seconds left. He was fouled and hit one of two free throws to give the Hornets a two possession lead. Smith missed a three-pointer with five seconds left and Sawyer Glick secured the rebound to send the Hornets to the next round.
Julius Jackson led Emporia State with 21 points, and career highs of six assists and seven rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Kooper Glick with 18 points and Sawyer Glick with 15 points on five three-pointers. Hassan Thomas had a game high ten rebounds in just 22 minutes of action.
With the win Emporia State improves to 14-15 on the season, the most wins since going 18-13 in 2013-14. They will take on defending tournament champion, #1 ranked and undefeated Northwest Missouri on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament. It will be the third meeting between the two in the MIAA Tournament.
