February 24, 2024 – The Lady Hornets took down the visiting Lincoln Blue Tigers 73-59 in the final game of the season from White Auditorium.
Throughout the first quarter, both the Lady Hornets and Blue Tigers traded points with the largest lead for either team in the quarter coming from Lincoln with 1:23 remaining in the first as Emporia State trailed 13-9. The Lady Hornets made four free throws in the final 60 second as the tied the game 13-13 entering the second.
Over the first five minutes of the second quarter, Emporia State outscored Lincoln 11-0 as they strung together a 15-0 scoring run going back to the first quarter. Lincoln responded with six straight points to cut the Lady Hornet lead to 24-19 at the 3:00 mark of the quarter. Emporia State scored seven of the final nine points in the quarter as they took a 31-21 lead into the halftime break.
Following the break, both teams put together strong offensive quarters as the Blue Tigers shot 8-13 from the floor while the Lady Hornets shot 8-10 and 4-6 from three. The largest lead in the third for Emporia State came at the 6:33 mark with the Lady Hornets leading 40-27.
Lincoln closed the gap over the final six and a half minutes as Emporia State's lead entering the fourth was cut to 51-45.
In the fourth, Emporia State maintained their hot shooting, as they went 8-13 from the floor. The Blue Tigers were unable to close the deficit below five points in the first few minutes of the quarter before the Lady Hornets again improved their lead to 62-50 entering the media timeout with 4:59 remaining in the game.
Emporia State would keep their double-digit lead as they held on for the 73-59 win on senior day from White Auditorium.
Gracie Gilpin led the Lady Hornets with a career-high 23 points on 8-14 shooting and 5-11 from three.
Faith Paramore recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Katie Horyna also reached double figures with 10 points.
Emporia State will hit the road for the next game against Pittsburg State on Wednesday, February 28. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. against the Gorillas.
