Three Hornets in double figures in road loss at Colorado Mesa

November 23, 2024-Emporia State placed three starters in double figures but it was not enough in a 74-67 loss at Colorado Mesa on Saturday night in Grand Junction, Colo.
 
The Hornets jumped out to a 7-2 lead 2:16 seconds into the game on a three-pointer from Brayson Laube and consecutive put backs by Parker Day. Emporia State led 20-13 on a lay-up from Donald Coats III with 11:09 left before the Mavericks went on an 8-0 run to take a 21-20 lead with 9:20 remaining in the half.  The Hornets were down one with 4:30 left on a Malik Edwards Jr. jumper when Colorado Mesa went on a 7-0 run to take their biggest lead of the half at 35-27 with 2:33 left in the half. Laube would score the final five points of the half to get Emporia State within 35-32 at the break.
 
After Harvey White hit a three-pointer to start the second half for CMU, Edwards and Devin Conley combined on a 5-0 run to Emporia State back within 38-37 with 18:07 left.  A 12-2 run gave the Mavericks their biggest lead of the game at 50-39 with 14:53 remaining. The Hornets would use a 10-3 run capped by a three-pointer from Laube with 3:46 to get back with four at 66-62.  CMU went four of seven from the free throw line in the final 2:51 to leave the door ajar but Emporia State  would go two of nine from the field in that time as the Mavericks won 74-67.
 
Malik Edwards scored 19 points to lead three starters in double figures. Devin Conley scored a career high 16 points with five assists as he got his first career start for the injured Arhman Lewis.  Brayson Laube rounded out the double figures scorers with 14 points. Donald Coats III scored nine points with seven rebounds but was the only Hornet off the bench to score.
 
After playing their first six games on the road, with five of their opponents either ranked or getting votes in one of the first two NABC National Polls, Emporia State will make their White Auditorium debut under Coach Tom Billeter on Sunday, December 1 against Peru State. The Bobcats are undefeated and receiving votes in the NAIA Division I National Poll.