December 4, 2025 – An early second half run by the Bearcats proved too much to overcome for the Emporia State men on Thursday night, as the Hornets fell 77-70 at Northwest Missouri to open MIAA action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both the Hornets and Bearcats opened the game trading baskets over the first four-plus minutes, with a
Chris Harris three putting the Hornets ahead 12-11 at the 15:37 mark of the first half. Over the next four minutes, the Bearcats outscored the Hornets 12-3, taking a 23-15 lead at the 12:17 mark.
Over the final 12 minutes of the first half, the Hornets trimmed the Bearcat advantage to three points on multiple occasions, including in the final minute before the break on a layup by
Trey Redd to make the score 38-35 with 47 seconds left in the first. A trio of free throws by Northwest Missouri doubled that lead, making the halftime score 41-35 in favor of the Bearcats.
Following the break, a slow start for Emporia State lasted the first eight minutes of the second half, as a 14-6 scoring run by the hosts gave Northwest Missouri a 55-41 lead at the 12:12 mark, their largest of the game. The Hornets were able to climb back over the next seven minutes, allowing just two Bearcat field goals to trim the deficit to 62-56 entering the final media timeout with 4:47 remaining.
Despite the Emporia State defense allowing just two field goals from over a nine-minute window, the Hornets were unable to pull within one possession down the stretch, as a
Trey Redd layup with 13 seconds left to cut the lead to 71-67 was the closest they would come before falling 77-70 in their MIAA opener against the Bearcats on Thursday night.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State posted a higher shooting percentage than the Bearcats, shooting 46.6% compared to 43.6% for Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats knocked down 10-24 attempts from three while the Hornets were 6-18, including just 1-5 in the second half.
Andrew Pengel led the way with 23 points on 7-12 shooting and 4-5 from beyond the arc.
Treyvon Taylor and
Chris Harris joined Pengel in double figures, scoring 16 points each on the night.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will return to White Auditorium on Saturday, December 6 for the home portion of their split trip to begin MIAA action. The Hornets will take on Missouri Western with tipoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
