Home opening win for Emporia State 69-61 over Peru State

December 1, 2024-The home portion of the Tom Billeter era got off to a good start as Emporia State defeated Peru State 69-61 on Sunday afternoon in White Auditorium. Karyiek Dixon had a career high 21 points off the bench while Parker Day dished a career high eight assists.
 
Both teams struggled offensively to open the game with Peru State leading 7-4 six minutes into the game.  The Hornets then went on a 9-0 run, with Dixon providing the last six points, to take a 13-7 lead with 10:50 left in the first half.  The Bobcats were within three at 25-22 with 2:25 left in the half when Dixon and Devin Conley combined to close the half on a 9-3 run to give Emporia State a 34-25 lead at the break.
 
The Hornets took their biggest lead of the afternoon on an Arhman Lewis bucket in the paint with 17:09 left to go up 42-31.  The Bobcats climbed back into the game and trailed by one at 60-59 with 5:25 remaining. On the next possession Emporia State worked the shot clock down and Dixon scored inside off a pass from Brayson Laube to put the Hornets up 62-59 headed into the final media timeout. Laube got a steal and went coast to coast for the dunk with 3:50 left to make it 64-59 and then hit two free throws with 3:04 left to push the lead to seven.  After a Dixon steal, Lewis scored to cap off an 8-0 run and give the Hornets a 68-59 lead with 2:20 remaining.
 
Karyiek Dixon led Emporia State with 21 points off the bench, going eight of 11 from the field with seven rebounds.  Arhman Lewis scored 13 and Brayson Laube added 11 points to join Dixon in double figures.  Parker Day had team highs of eight points and eight assists for the Hornets.
 
The Hornets will now open MIAA play on Thursday, December 5 against Northwest Missouri.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in White Auditorium.
 
NOTES
The Hornets have now won 22 of their last 25 home openers.
Every coach in Emporia State history has won their first home game in White Auditorium dating back to 1945. Tom Billeter joins Gus Fish, Ron Slaymaker, Marc Comstock, David Moe, Shaun Vandiver and Craig Doty in winning his first home game coached in White Auditorium.