Come from behind win for Emporia State over Rogers State

January 29, 2023-Emporai State overcame a nearly seven minute scoring drought in the first half on the way to a 77-63 come from behind win over Rogers State on Sunday afternoon in White Auditorium.
 
The Hornets had a 19-12 lead with 10:29 left in the first half and led 23-18 on a Mason Thiessen free throw with 8:07 remaining. That would be the last points for ESU until Owen Long hit a three-pointer with 1:14 left in the half. The Hillcats took advantage of the 6:53 drought to go on a 12-0 run and led 30-23 with 1:56 left.  Long's three made it 30-26 and Sherwyn Devonish-Prince hit two free throws with 32 seconds left to give Rogers State a 32-26 lead at the half.
 
Gage McGuire scored to start the second half for Emporia State before Long went on a heater.  He would hit four three-pointers for 12 points in a span of 2:22 as the Hornets went on a 14-0 run to the lead for good. His three with 15:52 gave Emporia State a 40-32 lead.
 
The Hillcats got an old-fashioned three-point play from Gerren Jackson around the media timeout with 14:50 left to pull within 42-37.  Atavian Butler found Peyton Rogers-Schmidt for an alley-oop dunk on the next possession and Butler hit a three-pointer with 13:57 left to give the Hornets a 47-37 lead.  Rogers would not get closer than six points the rest of the game.
 
Chris Whitaker hit a three to bring Rogers State within six points at 53-47 with midway through the second half but Emporia State responded with an 11-2 run to take control of the game. Five different Hornets scored during the run capped by a three-pointer from Kaden Evans with 5:40 left to give ESU a 64-49 lead.
 
Rogers State closed to within nine at 68-59 with but Evans hit six of six free throws in the final 1:15 to ice the win.  Long hit a three-pointer as the shot clock wound down with 18 seconds left for the final score.
 
Owen Long had his second straight 30 point game finishing with 33 points with seven made three-pointers.  He was joined in double figures by Kaden Evans with 13 points while Atavian Butler scored 11 points.  Gage McGuire finished with eight points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
 
After a four game homestand the Hornets are back on the road on Thursday, February 2 when they travel to #7 Northwest Missouri.  Tip-off from Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Mo. is set for 7:30 p.m.