Lady Hornets battle in loss to Missouri Western on Saturday

February 10, 2024-The Lady Hornets held the highest scoring team in the MIAA to 16 points below their season average but could not take advantage of the defensive effort in a 61-51 loss to Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon in White Auditorium.
 
The Griffons scored the first six points of the game as Emporia State did not score until the 6:42 mark of the opening period.  The Lady Hornets would then hold Western scoreless for the final 4:07 to pull within 10-8 at the end of the first.
 
Western opened the second quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 19-10 lead with 7:24 left in the period. Faith Paramore scored six points during a 9-1 run as Emporia State pulled within 22-21 with 3:08 left in the half. Stevie Stinchcomb hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 27 with 1:26 left. Gracie Gilpin hit two free throws with 26 seconds remaining to tie the game again at 29 but Jayme Jackson scored with just three seconds left to give the Griffons a 31-29 lead at the break.
 
The Griffons again got out to a lead to start the third quarter, leading 36-30 with 7:22 left, before the Hornets again responded. Stinchcomb had an old fashioned three-point play followed by a three pointer to give the Lady Hornets a 38-36 lead with 3:53 left in the quarter. Western scored the next five points to go up 41-38.  Gilpin hit a three-pointer with 39 seconds left to send the teams to the fourth quarter tied at 41.
 
After Western took a five point lead Queen Ulabo scored in the paint with 5:02 left to get Emporia State within 50-47. Connie Clarke scored the next four points to give the Griffons a 54-47 lead with 3:27 remaining.  Stinchcomb answered with 3:12 left to make it a two possession game but Brionna Budgetts hit a three-pointer 25 seconds later to push it back to 57-49 in favor of MWSU. Paramore hit two free throws with 1:33 left only to have the Griffons answer with a Mackenzie Hart layup with 1:09 remaining. The Lady Hornets would only get one more shot off and Budgetts hit two free throws with 35 seconds left for the final margin.
 
Faith Paramore had her tenth double-double of the year with 14 points and ten rebound to lead Emporia State.  She was joined in double figures by Stevie Stinchcomb with 13 points.
 
The Lady Hornets will have a full week until their next competition when they head to Wichita to take on Newman. Tip-off from Fugate Gymnasium on February 17 is set for 1:30 p.m.