January 17, 2024 – The Emporia State Lady Hornets took down #25 Pittsburg State 71-59 on Wednesday night for the first ranked win in the Coach Ostermann era.
Pittsburg State scored on their first two possessions, taking a 4-0 lead over the Lady Hornets in the opening minute. The Lady Hornets responded over the next four minutes with an 11-2 scoring run which included four points from
Katie Horyna and eight points in the paint for Emporia State.
The Lady Hornets maintained their lead over the Gorillas for the final five minutes, as they took a 16-12 lead into the second quarter.
In the first quarter, Emporia State and Pittsburg State combined for 0-9 shooting from three while the Lady Hornets committed just two turnovers and forced six by the Gorillas.
The Gorillas cut the Lady Hornet lead to 18-16 in the first two minutes of the second quarter, the smallest advantage for the Lady Hornets for the remainder of the first half. Over the final eight minutes of the second, Emporia State outscored Pittsburg State 15-6 as a three from
Macy Smith with 1:56 gave the Lady Hornets a 33-24 advantage, which they took into the halftime break.
Emporia State recorded 12 more shot attempts than Pittsburg State in the first half, shooting 12-36 from the floor while the Gorillas shot 11-24.
Following the halftime break, the Lady Hornets expanded on their lead as they outscored the Gorillas 13-6 over the first five minutes of the second half. The scoring run was capped off by a step back jumper from
Faith Paramore at the 5:10 mark of the third quarter.
After the basket from Paramore, Pittsburg State scored eight consecutive points, halving the Lady Hornet lead to 46-38 with 2:58 to play in the third. With a three for the final basket of the third quarter, the Gorillas trimmed the Emporia State lead to 50-44 entering the fourth.
Pittsburg State scored five of the first seven points in the fourth quarter, trimming the Lady Hornets lead to 52-49, the smallest lead for Emporia State since the end of the first quarter. Five straight points from the Lady Hornets restored their eight-point advantage with 6:48 to play.
Over the next three and a half minutes, Emporia State stifled the Gorillas, eventually building a 66-53 lead at the 3:18 mark. The Lady Hornets were able to close out the #25 Gorillas with a 71-59 win.
Katie Horyna led all scorers with 17 points on 7-13 shooting with five assists and three rebounds.
Gracie Gilpin scored 16 points on 6-13 shooting and 3-7 from three.
Faith Paramore also scored 16 points and added 12 rebounds, tallying her seventh double-double of the season.
Queen Ulabo also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, her fourth of the season.
As a team, the Lady Hornets outrebounded the Gorillas 47-33, their largest advantage in an MIAA game this season. Emporia State advances to 9-7 and 6-4 in the MIAA.
The Lady Hornets next game will be on Sunday, January 21 as they host Missouri Southern. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. from White Auditorium.
NOTES
Emporia State is now 88-66 overall vs. teams ranked in the WBCA poll.
Emporia State is now 32-18 in White Auditorium vs. teams ranked in the WBCA poll.
Emporia State is now 57-52 vs. MIAA teams ranked in the WBCA poll.
