#23 Emporia State rolls to 110-66 win over Saint Mary to wrap up the non-conference season

November 29, 2022-Fresh after making their season debut in the NABC Top 25, #23 Emporia State scored the first 17 points of the game on the way to a 110-66 victory over Saint Mary on Tuesday night in White Auditorium.

After missing a three-pointer off the opening tip, the Hornets hit their next seven shots to go up 17-0 with 14:28 left in the first half.  The Spires responded with an 8-0 run of their own over the next 2:39 to pull within 17-8.  The teams traded buckets for the next five possession until Gage McGuire converted an old fashioned three-point play to ignite a 17-3 run that gave Emporia State a 38-15 lead with 7:00  left in the half.

The Hornets shot a blistering 64.7% from the field in the opening 20 minutes including a seven of 15 effort from beyond the arc as they took a 54-32 lead into the locker room.

The lead stayed between 18 and 24 points for the first ten minutes of the second half before Alijah Comithier and Kaden Evans combined on a 14-0 run to take away any doubt.  Comithier scored nine points and Evans five during the run as Emporia State led 85-52 with 6:54 remaining.  The Hornets hit the century mark with 3:23 left on a Sam Baker dunk to lead 100-61. Kabeya Tshibangu would get six dunks in the final two and half minutes as Emporia State cruised to the 110-66 victory.

Mayuom Buom had a career high 21 points on ten of 11 shooting with three blocked shots to lead five Hornets in double figures.  Kaden Evans just missed a double-double, scoring 19 points with nine rebounds.  Gage McGuire scored 15 points on seven of nine shooting with six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.  Owen Long scored 14 and Alijah Comithier scored 11 to round out the Hornets in double figures. All 12 Hornets that played grabbed a rebound while 11 of 12 scored and nine of 12 were credited with an assist.

Emporia State will open MIAA play on Saturday, December 3 at Washburn.  Tip-off of the Topeka edition of the Turnpike Tussle is set for 3:00 p.m. in Lee Arena.

NOTES
This was the seventh time the Hornets have cracked the century mark under Coach Craig Doty.
Earlier in the day Emporia State made their debut in the NABC Top 25 at #23.  It was the first time since 2007 the Hornets have been nationally ranked by the coaches association.