January 6, 2024 – The Lady Hornets took down Central Oklahoma 62-52 on Saturday afternoon from White Auditorium.
In a game where the Lady Hornets never trailed, Emporia State led by as much as 16 in their fourth MIAA win this season.
After Emporia State and Central Oklahoma traded opening baskets in the first 90 seconds, the Lady Hornets retook a 4-2 lead on a jumper from
Gracie Gilpin at the 6:47 mark of the first quarter. Over the final 6:47 of the first, Emporia State outscored the Bronchos 18-4 as they held a 20-6 lead entering the second.
In the second quarter, Emporia State shot just 4-14 from the floor but maintained their double-digit advantage over Central Oklahoma. With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, a pair of free throws from
Katie Horyna extended the Lady Hornet lead to 31-15, their largest lead of the game.
Central Oklahoma scored the final four points of the half as Emporia State took a 31-19 lead into the halftime break.
Following the break, Central Oklahoma scored the first six points of the third quarter, closing the Lady Hornet lead to 31-25. Emporia State kept their distance from the Bronchos for much of the third quarter, with Central Oklahoma finally trimming the deficit to just three points, a 45-42 Emporia State lead, with a basket on the final possession of the quarter.
In the fourth, the opening point was scored on a free throw by
Queen Ulabo with 7:51 remaining, which jumpstarted a stretch of back-and-forth baskets by the Lady Hornets and Bronchos. Central Oklahoma was never able to close the deficit to less than two points throughout the quarter.
With Emporia State leading 50-48 with 4:48 left in the game, the Lady Hornets outscored the Bronchos 12-4 the rest of the way. The late push for Emporia State was highlighted by threes from
Stevie Stinchcomb and
Gracie Gilpin as the Lady Hornets took home a 62-52 win over Central Oklahoma.
Queen Ulabo led the Lady Hornets with 11 points while adding five rebounds.
Allie Ostermann added 10 points and was 3-4 from three.
Emporia State advances to 7-6 overall and 4-3 in the MIAA. The Lady Hornets return to action on Thursday, January 11 as they travel to take on Lincoln. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. from Jefferson City, Mo.
