Lady Hornets Start Four Freshmen in 89-59 Win Over Bellevue

December 17, 2024-For the first time in their Division II era, the Lady Hornets started four freshman with two of them recording double-doubles in an 89-59 win over Bellevue on Tuesday night in White Auditorium.
 
Emporia State jumped out to a 6-2 lead and never trailed on the way to the 30 point victory.  Defensively they held the Bruins to just three of 17 shooting in the first quarter while getting scoring from seven different Lady Hornets on the way to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter. 
 
Gracie Gilpin, the only non-freshman in the starting lineup, converted a four point play with 2:57 left in the half to give the Lady Hornets a 37-19 lead.  Two Bellevue free throws with 30 seconds left made it 41-26 at the break.
 
Janiyah Alverez scored on a put back with 3:37 left to complete a 7-0 run and give the Lady Hornets a 61-37 lead.  Addie Kirmer scored the final four points of the period to give Emporia State a 69-46 lead going into the fourth quarter.
 
The Bruins cut the deficit to 17 points with 8:24 left in the game and the Lady Hornets responded with a 9-0 run to go up 80-54 with 5:13 remaining.  Macy Smith hit a three-pointer with 23 seconds left for the final margin of 89-59.
 
Gracie Gilpin led four Lady Hornets in double figures with 20 points including a four of nine effort from beyond the arc.  Jayla Cornelius scored 14 points with a career high ten assists while Makenzie McDaniel scored 12 points with a career high 15 rebounds.  Macey Gandee rounded out the double figure scorers finishing with then points.
 
The Lady Hornets will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Jefferson City, Mo. to take on former MIAA member Lincoln.  Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. in Jason Gym.
 
NOTES
Jayla Cornelius 10 assists are the most by a Lady Hornet since Kelly Moten had 11 against Central Oklahoma on February 25, 2017.
McDaniel's 12 points and 15 rebounds along with Cornelius' 14 points and ten assists was the first time since November 30, 2004 that Emporia State has had two players with double-doubles, one with rebounds and one with assists. Michelle Stueve had 27 points and 16 rebounds while Michelle Brown had 11 points and ten assists in the 123-50 win over McPherson.