SECOND HALF DEFENSE LEADS EMPORIA STATE TO 76-64 WIN OVER MISSOURI WESTERN

January 6, 2022-Emporia State held Missouri Western to just 23.1% shooting in the second half on the way to a 76-64 Hornet win on Thursday night in White Auditorium.
 
The first half was a back and forth affair with ten ties and six lead changes in the opening 20 minutes.  Emporia State led 26-20 with 8:30 left in the half on a Mayuom Buom layup.  Missouri Western then went on a 7-0 run to take a 27-26 lead on back to back layups by JaQuaylon Mays following Hornet turnovers. 

The teams traded scores with the Griffons going up 40-38 on a Will Eames three-pointer with 1:30 left.  Tray Buchanan gave the Hornets a 41-40 led on an old fashioned three-point play with 1:17 left to give the Hornets a 41-40 lead.  He then hit two free throws with 1:06 left to give him 18 first half points and put Emporia State up 43-40 at the break.
 
The Hornets made it a 10-0 run as they opened the second half with a three-pointer from Brooks Haddock and another fast break jumper by Buchanan with 18:57 left in the game to go up 48-40.   Eames hit two free throws with 13:30 remaining to make it 57-47 when the Hornets went on a 12-3 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 69-50 with 8:05 left.  Buchanan started and ended the run with three-pointers for the Hornets.  Western would not get closer than 11 points the rest of the night.
 
Tray Buchanan, the leading scorer in the nation, scored a game high 33 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.  He was joined in double figures by Mayuom Buom with 15 points and two blocked shots while Brooks Haddock and Brenden Van Dyke each scored eight points.  Van Dye had a team high nine rebounds.
 
The Hornets, who improved to 12-3 on the year and 7-2 in the MIAA, will be off until they take on Pittsburg State on January 12 in Pittsburg, Kan.  Tip-off next Wednesday in Lance Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
NOTES:
Jumah'Ri Turner, Emporia State's second leading scorer and the fifth leading scorer in the MIAA, did not play due to COVID protocols.
Emporia State is 12-3 for the first time since going 13-3 to open the 2008-09 season.