March 5, 2025 – The Emporia State men struggled from the floor in the first round matchup of the MIAA Tournament against Central Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon, as the Hornets fell 73-60 in their final game of the season.
The game started slow as both the Hornets and Bronchos missed their first three field goals before a tip-in by
Karyiek Dixon gave Emporia State a 2-0 lead at the 18:09 mark. Over the next five minutes, Central Oklahoma outscored the Hornets 18-6, building a ten-point lead over Emporia State at the 12:50 mark.
Emporia State was able to cut into the Central Oklahoma lead, eventually making the score 25-23 following a free throw from Dixon with 7:28 left in the first half. The Hornets struggled to close out the half, missing their final eight field goals as the Bronchos put together a 20-2 scoring run over the final seven minutes to take a 45-25 lead into the halftime break.
The Hornets shot just 9-31 from the floor in the first half, including 3-16 from three, while the Bronchos shot 50%.
Following the break, the Hornets scored eight of the next 10 points, as a three from
Arhman Lewis cut the Central Oklahoma lead to 47-33 at the 16:53 mark of the second half. Emporia State was unable to inch closer before the media timeout with 12:40 remaining as the Bronchos led 56-40.
A layup by Malik Edwards trimmed the deficit to 58-45 with 10:58 remaining, but the Hornets were unable to climb any closer over the final 11 minutes, eventually falling to Central Oklahoma 73-60.
Karyiek Dixon led the Hornets with 13 points and added eight rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Emporia State finished 11-18 in the first year under head coach
Tom Billeter and made the MIAA Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
