HORNETS FALL TO WASHBURN IN SENIOR DAY TURNPIKE TUSSLE

February 26, 2022-Playing the second half without the nation's leading scorer, Emporia State hit just two of 18 three-pointers after the half in an 85-59 loss to Washburn on Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium.
 
The Ichabods got out to an 8-3 lead before Tray Buchanan hit back to back threes to give the Hornets a 9-8 lead with 16:16 left in the half.  It would be the first of six straight lead changes over the next six minutes.  Tyler Nelson and Jalen Lewis hit back to back threes for Washburn to break the string and give the Ichabods a 22-16 lead midway through the half.
 
Washburn led 33-26 when Buchanan scored on a layup off an assist from Brenden Van Dyke with 4:04 left to cut the lead to 33-28 but came up limping.   Nelson hit a three on the ensuing possession to put Washburn back up eight with 3:54 left in the half when the officials stopped the clock for a substitution to get Buchanan out of the game.  He tried to come back in with 2:14 left but could only go for 30 seconds.  Jumah'Ri Turner would hit a three pointer with 1:33 left to pull Emporia State within 38-33.  Tyler Geiman scored with 41 seconds left to send the Ichabods to the locker room with a 40-33 lead.
 
With Buchanan not able to play in the second half, the Ichabods opened the period on a 10-0 run to take a 50-33 lead with 17:20 left.  A Gage McGuire layup left pulled Emporia State to within ten at 64-54 but the Hornets would only get one three-pointer from Kaden Evans over the final 7:48 of the game as Washburn pulled away for the 85-59 win.
 
Tray Buchanan led Emporia State in scoring with 16 points despite playing just 16 minutes in the first half.  Jumah'Ri Turner was the only other Hornet in double figures with 11 points.  Brenden Van Dyke had ten rebounds.
 
The two teams will meet again on Friday, March 4 in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament presented by Citizens Bank & Trust.