January 9, 2025 – The Lady Hornets fell 87-65 on the road against #7 Fort Hays State after trailing by just seven heading into the fourth quarter on Thursday night on the road.
Emporia State jumped out in front of the Tigers leading 5-0 and 7-2 within the first two minutes. Fort Hays State eventually found their way back into the lead, as the Tigers took a 13-11 lead into the media timeout before holding a 29-19 lead through the first quarter.
In the second, quarter Emporia State shot just 6-17 from the floor, but used a trio of threes to trim the Tiger lead, eventually retaking a lead in the final minute of the first half. A three from
Gracie Gilpin with ten seconds remaining in the quarter, giving the Lady Hornets a 37-36 advantage. A layup from the Tigers with a second left before the break gave Fort Hays State the 38-37 lead at halftime.
The Lady Hornet defense drove the push the in the second quarter, as the Tigers went just 4-18 from the floor and 0-8 from three in the period.
In the first half, both teams shot below 40% and the Lady Hornets trailed 26-20 on the glass.
Following the break, continued offensive struggles early in the third quarter as the Tigers held a 46-41 lead with just over five minutes left in the third. Over the final five minutes of the quarter, Fort Hays State outscored Emporia State by two, extending their lead to 57-50 heading into the final frame.
Emporia State scored five of the first seven points in the fourth, with
Jayla Cornelius tallying all five for the Lady Hornets to cut the Tiger lead to 59-55 with 8:16 remaining. The Lady Hornets were unable to inch any closer over the final eight minutes, as Fort Hays State shot 75% in the quarter, including 4-5 from three as they scored 30 in the quarter. Emporia State struggled in the quarter, shooting 5-19 from the floor, as the Lady Hornets fell to the Tigers 87-65.
Katie Horyna,
Makenna Clark and
Jayla Cornelius each scored 11 points as the three to reach double figures for the Lady Hornets.
Janiyah Alvarez had a team-high eight rebounds.
Emporia State will return to action and return home on Saturday, January 11 as they host Nebraska-Kearney from White Auditorium. Tip-off between the Lady Hornets and Lopers is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
