December 9, 2023 - The Emporia State Lady Hornets rallied from a 21-point first half deficit as they outscored Northeastern State 41-17 in the second half for a 63-57 win.
Northeastern State scored the first four points of the game before
Aliyah Bello got things started for the Lady Hornets with a three at the 8:16 mark.
The Riverhawks were able to expand their lead as they shot 8-13 in the first quarter and led the Lady Hornets 21-10 after one.
Emporia State shot just 2-14 in the first quarter.
Through the first five minutes of the second quarter, Emporia State was outscored 10-2 as the Lady Hornets trailed 31-12 with five minutes remaining in the first half.
After a trio of Emporia State free throws, Northeastern State scored five straight points to take a 36-15 lead over the Lady Hornets, their largest lead of the game.
Emporia State outscored the Riverhawks by three in the final three minutes of the first half but entered the halftime break trailing 40-22.
In the first half, the Lady Hornets shot 17.2% from the floor and just 3-16 from three.
Following the halftime break, Emporia State quickly cut the deficit to single digits as a pair of threes from
Faith Paramore in the first minute and a three from
Gracie Gilpin at the 7:37 mark of the third quarter highlighted a 9-0 scoring run for the Lady Hornets.
Over the final seven minutes of the third quarter, the Lady Hornets and Riverhawks traded baskets as the Northeastern State held a 53-43 lead over Emporia State heading into the fourth quarter.
On the opening possession of the fourth quarter, a three from
Gracie Gilpin kickstarted a 12-0 scoring run that lasted nearly six minutes. The run was capped off by a pair of
Faith Paramore free throws with 5:39 remaining as the Lady Hornets took a 55-53 lead, their first lead of the game.
With 2:16 remaining, a layup from Northeastern State tied the game at 57-57.
Emporia State regained the lead for the final time on a layup from
Faith Paramore with 52 seconds remaining.
In the final minute,
Faith Paramore went 4-4 from the free throw line, sealing a 63-57 win for the Lady Hornets.
Faith Paramore scored a game-high 20 points and led the game with 13 rebounds as she recorded her fourth double-double of the season.
Aliyah Bello scored nine points while
Gracie Gilpin and
Tylieea Wallace each scored eight points.
Emporia State advances to 5-3 on the season and 3-0 in the MIAA as the Lady Hornets are one of two teams that remain unbeaten in conference play.
The Lady Hornets will return to action on Thursday, December 14 as they travel to take on Missouri Western. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. from Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo. where the Lady Hornets won the 2010 National Championship.
