KC Clinched: Emporia State Rolls Past Central Missouri to Earn MIAA Tourney Berth

February 21, 2024-Emporia State started off sluggishly but eventually rolled to a 75-51 victory over Central Missouri on Wednesday night to clinch their spot in the MIAA Tournament presented by Southern Bank.
 
The Hornets had a 10-9 lead at the 12:22 mark then held the Mules scoreless for the next 5:40 to double up the score at 18-9 with 6:42 left in the half.  Emporia State led 29-21 with 2:22 remaining in the half, but Central scored the final five points to make it a three-point game at the break.
 
Alijah Comithier led all scorers in the first half with 12 points but no other Hornet had more than four points in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Jordan Hayes scored to start the second half to bring UCM within 29-28 with 19:09 left.  Emporia State then went on a 14-3 run, getting points from four different players during the run.  Comithier got things started with a three pointer and Kaden Evans ended the run with back to back threes to give the Hornets a 43-31 lead with 14:55 left.   Emporia State gradually pulled away going up 19 at 55-36 with 9:38 remaining on a Cael McGee fast break layup.  McGee would later score six straight points on a three-pointer and old fashioned three-point play to give ESU a 64-42 lead with 6:56 remaining.  The Mules would not get closer than 20 points the rest of the game as the Hornets cruised into the MIAA Tournament with the 75-51 win.
 
Alijah Comithier had 21 points to lead four Hornets in double figures.  Owen Long and Cael McGee each had 13 and Kaden Evans added 12 on four of six shooting from the three-point line.  Long also grabbed seven rebounds and dished six assists with two steals and just one turnover.
 
The Hornets will play their final game in White Auditorium this season on Saturday when they play host to Lincoln.  It will be Senior Day for Emporia State with  Alijah Comithier, Owen Long, Atavian Butler, Darius Yohe, Drew Tennial, Peyton Rogers-Schmidt and Ethan Hildebrand getting recognized prior to the 3:30 p.m. tip-off.
 
NOTES:
With the win Emporia State secured their 24th trip to the MIAA Tournament.