Emporia State Men Prevail in Defensive Struggle 58-44 Over Fort Hays State

February 13, 2025-In a rock fight of a game, Emporia State used an early 9-2 run to take control on the way to a 58-44 win over Fort Hays State on Thursday night in White Auditorium.
 
The Tigers scored first to open the action and led 5-4 on a Kaleb Hammeke three-pointer with 16:40 left in the first half.  Neither team would score over the next three and a half minutes until Brayson Laube hit a step back jumper to give the Hornets a 6-5 lead with 13:09 left.  Emporia State led 10-8 following a Hammeke three-pointer for FHSU midway through the first half.  The Hornets then went on a 9-2 run capped by a Chris Harris break away dunk with 6:41 left following a Karyiek Dixon steal. Harris would hit a three-pointer with 1:01 left to give Emporia State a 32-19 lead but Fort Hays State scored the final three points with Shaun Riley beating the buzzer on a layup to make it 32-22 at the half.
 
Riley hit a free throw and Kyle Grill scored inside to extend the Tigers run to 6-0 as they trailed 32-25 with 18:37 left. The Hornets answered by holding the Tigers without a field goal for the next 7:24. ESU used an 11-0 run, with Arhman Lewis scoring the first seven points, to take a 43-25 lead with 14:17 left. Riley snapped the run with a pair of free throws at the 13:49 mark. Lucas Hammeke scored on old fashioned three-point play with 11:13 left to get the Tigers within 13 at 43-30.   Devin Conley scored on a pull up jumper near the elbow with 10:27 left to give Emporia State a 45-30 lead. The Tigers would not get closer than 12 points the rest of the night as the Hornets cruised to the 58-44 victory.
 
Arhman Lewis scored 14 points to lead a balanced Hornet offense.  Karyiek Dixon added eight points and a team high ten rebounds while Chris Harris and Justin Mack each scored eight as well.  Parker Day had nine rebounds to go with two blocked shots and four points.
 
Emporia State, winners of five of their last seven games, will travel to Neb.-Kearney on Saturday.  Tip-off from the Health and Sports Center in Kearney, Neb. is set for 4:00 p.m.
 
NOTES:
With 14 points Arhman Lewis went over the 500 point mark in his collegiate career and now has 512 points in 52 games between Augustana and Emporia State.
The win was Emporia State coach Tom Billeter's 499th career win between North Dakota State, Augustana and Emporia State.