Hornets Never Trail in 75-66 Win Over Northeastern State at White Auditorium

January 23, 2025-Emporia State never trailed in a 75-66 victory over Northeastern State on Thursday night in White Auditorium.
 
Karyiek Dixon scored inside just 16 seconds into the game to get the Hornets started. They would lead 14-6 with 13:06 left in the half on a Malik Edwards Jr. three-pointer.  The RiverHawks responded with an 9-1 run to tie the game at 15 with 9:31 left.  Northeastern State pulled within 23-21 following an Ethan Blackmon tip in with 5:16 left in the half when Emporia State took control of the game. Arhman Lewis scored right after Blackmon to ignite an 18-0 run for the Hornets.  Emporia State would hit their next seven shots while holding Northeastern State to just zero for seven from the field over the next four minutes.  Dixon capped the run with a put back off a Lewis missed free throw with 1:19 left to give the Hornets a 41-21 lead.  The RiverHawks scored the next four points but Lewis drilled a 30 foot buzzer beating three-pointer from the logo to send the Hornets to the locker room up 44-25.
 
After Dixon scored inside to start the second half for Emporia State, Northeastern State scored seven straight points to get within 46-32 with 17:57 remaining.  The Hornets pushed the lead back to 20 at 54-34 on a Dixon put back with 15:52 to play and still led 61-43 with 12:42 left on a Justin Mack three pointer. The RiverHawks then went on a 9-0 run to get within nine at 61-52 left on a Blackmon lay-up with 10:45 left.  Edwards broke the run with a three-pointer out of the under ten media timeout with 9:40 left, but Northeastern State scored the nest six points to cut the deficit to six at 64-58 with 7:56 left.  After a Bryson Smith free throw got the RiverHawks within five at the 5:11 mark, Dallas Bear hit a three-pointer to give the Hornets a 69-61 lead with 4:48 remaining.  The Hornets hit their final four free throws in the last 2:58 to ice the 75-66 victory.
 
Karyiek Dixon led Emporia State with 19 points, ten rebounds, five steals and three blocks.  He was joined in double figures by Arhman Lewis with 15 points and five assists while Malik Edwards chipped in 11 points. Parker Day had a team high 11 rebounds to go with six points.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Sunday when they play host to Ark.-Fort Smith.  Tip-off for the first meeting with the first-year MIAA member is set for 3:30 p.m. in White Auditorium.