EMPORIA STATE BATTLES BACK FROM 18 POINT DEFICIT BEFORE FALLING 69-67 AT NORTHEASTERN STATE

February 15, 2020-Emporia State came back from 18 points down with 15 minutes left to take a lead late but could not complete the comeback in a 69-67 loss at Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Hornets held the RiverHawks without a field goal for the first 5:34 but only led 4-3.  Emporia State used a 9-0 run in just 1:05 of playing time to take a 16-7 lead with 9:59 left in the half.  Northeastern State answered with a 12-0 run of their own to go ahead 19-16 with 5:56 remaining. Kendrick Thompson scored with 43 seconds left in the half to cap a 6-0 run and put NSU ahead 29-25. Mason Thiessen nailed a three-pointer with a second left to bring the Hornets within 29-28 at the break.
 
The RiverHawks came out on fire to start the second half and scored the first 17 points of the period to take a 46-28 lead with 15:22 left in the game.  Jumah'Ri Turner finally broke the run on a fastbreak layup with 15:16 left and Justin Williams scored inside to bring the Hornets back within 14 points with 14:46 left.  The lead would stay between 13 and 17 points until the midway point of the half as an Aaron Givens layup gave Northeastern State a 58-43 lead with 10:08 remaining.
 
Zac Owens and Turner combined on a 10-0 run and Turner's three-pointer with 7:20 left pulled Emporia State within five at 58-53.  Brad Davis hit a three and was fouled with 4:30 left to give the RiverHawks a 63-55 lead with 4:25 remaining.  Williams then scored ten straight points to give the Hornets a 65-63 lead with 1:42 left.  Northeastern hit three free throws over the next 38 seconds to retake the lead at 66-65.  Turner hit a jumper with 42.2 seconds left to put the Hornets back in front 67-66.
 
Thiessen blocked a Thompson layup with 19 seconds left and after an official's review the ball was awarded to Northeastern State.  Kendrick buried a three pointer with 11.9 seconds left to put the RiverHawks up by two.  The Hornets got the ball in bounds and Turner's jumper from in the lane rimmed out.
 
Justin Williams tied his career high with 18 points on six of eight shooting.  He was joined in double figures by Jumah'Ri Turner with 12 and Mason Thiessen with ten points. 
 
Emporia State will continue their current four game road trip when they travel to Wichita, Kan. on Thursday, February 20 to take on Newman.  Tip-off from Fugate Gymnasium is set for 7:30 p.m.