January 11, 2025-Emporia State scored 46 second half points but it was not enough in a 69-67 loss to Neb.-Kearney on Saturday night in White Auditorium.
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Both teams struggled to score to start the game. The Hornets did not make their first field goal until the 15:07 mark but only trailed 5-3. An old fashioned three-point play by Allen Taylor gave the Lopers a 16-7 lead at the under ten minute media timeout.Â
Parker Day hit a three-pointer with 8:44 left to pull Emporia State within 16-12 and the teams traded scores over the next four minutes. River Johnston hit his only shot of the night, a three-pointer at the 3:29 mark to give UNK a 25-16 lead. Day scored inside with 1:04 left to get ESU within 27-21 but the Lopers scored the final five points to take a 32-21 lead to the break.
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Neb.-Kearney led 37-25 with 16:53 left when Emporia State went on a 7-0 run to get within five with 15:36 remaining. The Hornets held the Lopers scoreless from the 11:55 mark to the 7:25 mark but could only score five points of their own during that span to get within 48-47. A
Dallas Bear three-pointer tied the game at 50 with 7:05 left. UNK scored the next six points before
Arhman Lewis hit a three-pointer with 4:47 left to make it 56-53. The teams traded scores until
Malik Edwards Jr. hit a three with 1:17 left and then got a steal and was fouled with 59.9 seconds left. He hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 62. The Lopers would hit seven of eight free throws in the final 39.6 seconds to pull out the 69-67 victory.
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Arhman Lewis had 18 points to lead four Hornets in double figures. Malik Edwards scored 16,
Parker Day had 13 and
Devin Conley scored ten points. Day had 11 rebounds and six assists.
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Emporia State will be back in action on Wednesday, January 15 at Washburn. Tip-off from Lee Arena in Topeka, Kan. is set for 7:30 p.m. Following a loss by Nova Southeastern earlier this week, the Ichabods could be ranked #1 in the nation at game time.
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