Hornets fall 65-54 to Northwest Missouri on Thursday

December 5, 2024-Emporia State was held to just 17.6% shooting from the three-point line in a 65-54 loss to Northwest Missouri on Thursday night in White Auditorium.
 
The Hornets jumped out to a 9-3 lead four and a half minutes into the game. The Bearcats then went on a 14-2 run to take a 17-11 lead with 10:25 left in the half. Karyiek Dixon scored on a fast break layup with 3:23 left to cap a 12-4 run as Emporia State closed to within 28-27.  A Spencer Schomers three pointer with 1:29 left would be the only scoring the rest of the half as Northwest Missouri took a 31-27 lead to the break.
 
Brayson Laube got a steal and score to start the second half for the Hornets and then hit two free throws with 19:13 left to get Emporia State within 33-31.  The Bearcats then went on a 10-0 run to go up 43-31 with 16:38 remaining.  Dixon hit two free throws with 16:22 left to break the run and Laube hit two free throws at the 15:29 mark and another one with 14:37 left to make it 43-36.  Emporia State would eventually go 9:23 without a field goal, but Northwest could only extend the lead to 16 before Laube hit a three-pointer with 10:23 left to make the score 52-39.
 
The Bearcats led 60-46 when Arhman Lewis went on a personal 8-0 run to get the Hornets within 60-54 with 3:21 left.  Emporia State had three chances to cut the lead over the next two minutes before Northwest closed the game going five of six from the free throw line in the final 1:03 to make the final score 65-54.
 
Brayson Laube scored 17 points and four steals to lead three Hornets in double figures.  He was joined by Arhman Lewis with 16 points while Karyiek Dixon scored 15 with a team high nine rebounds.
 
Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday night when they travel to Missouri Western. Tip-off from MWSU Fieldhouse is set for 7:30 p.m.