Cold Third Quarter Costs Lady Hornets in Loss to MSU-Moorhead

November 15, 2025-A cold third quarter proved costly to the Lady Hornets as they fell 60-48 to MSU-Moorhead on Saturday in the D2 Central Regional Showcase in the St. Joseph Civic Arena.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams started out slow, with the score tied 4-4 at the first media timeout.  An Allison Reese hoop and harm with 59 seconds left gave the Lady Hornets a 9-8 lead but Ashton Safranski scored with 29 seconds left to give the Dragons a 10-9 lead after one period.
Emporia State outscored MSU-Moorhead 17-16 in the second quarter with Kaitlyn Sanders scoring six and Makenzie McDaniel getting four to send the teams to the locker rooms tied at 26.
The Lady Hornets would hit just three of 12 shots in the third quarter. The Dragons used an 8-1 run in the third to go up 36-29 with 2:35 left in the period. A Caylin Kelly three pointer with 42 seconds left gave MSUM a 43-33 lead headed into the final quarter. 
A 6-2 run to open the fourth got Emporia State within 45-39 before Moorhead answered with a 6-1 run of their own to push the lead 51-40 with 5:03 remaining. Gracie Gilpin hit a three and McDaniel scored inside in the final two minutes for the final score of 60-48.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Kaitlyn Sanders scored 14 points while Makenzie McDaniel added 12 points and seven rebounds to lead the Lady Hornets.  As a team Emporia State shot 47.8% combined in the second and fourth quarters but only connected at a 25% clip in the first and third.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets travel to Bolivar, Mo. on Tuesday, November 18 to take on Southwest Baptist.  Tip-off from the Meyer Sports Center is set for 5:30 p.m.