January 10, 2026 – The Lady Hornets completed a double-digit fourth quarter comeback on Saturday afternoon to take down visiting Nebraska-Kearney 82-78 from White Auditorium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Nebraska-Kearney controlled much of the first quarter, shooting north of 50% from the floor and leading by as much as ten, but the Lady Hornets closed the gap to 24-18 heading into the second frame.
In the second quarter, Emporia state trimmed the deficit to as little as 26-23 with 6:42 remaining until the halftime, but the Lopers responded by restoring their double-digit advantage with a 45-32 lead with just under 90 seconds left until the break. Emporia State entered the break trailing 47-37, as Nebraska-Kearney continued their hot shooting, with a 10-18 second quarter.
After the break, Emporia State pulled within four early in the third quarter, but the Lopers again responded with a 9-0 scoring to match the largest lead of the game for the visitors, a 60-47 advantage. However, over the final four minutes of the frame, Emporia State held the Lopers scoreless and put together a 6-0 scoring run to make the score 60-55 through three.
Nebraska-Kearney took back the momentum to start the fourth, scoring the first seven points to build a 67-55 lead. Emporia State would respond again, scoring 13 of the next 15 points to cut the Loper lead to 69-68 with 4:18 remaining. The go-ahead field goal for the Lady Hornets finally came with 1:59 remaining on a layup by
Vanessa Coleman to give Emporia State their first lead since the opening basket of the game.
Emporia State got a stop on the ensuing possession, and
Kaitlyn Sanders scored the final two of her team-high 19 points to put the Lady Hornets ahead 78-75 with 1:13 left. The Lopers split a pair of free throws on their next opportunity which was followed by
Micah Hannah converting a contested jumper as the shot clock expired to make the score 80-76.
Macey Gandee sealed the win with two free throws with 5.7 remaining as Emporia State completed the double-digit comeback with the 82-78 win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 49.3% from the floor, including a blistering 64.7% in the fourth quarter as the Lady Hornets made 11 of their last 12 field goal attempts.
Kaitlyn Sanders led the Lady Hornets with 19 points, which included 13 in the second half.
Vanessa Coleman had 15 points on 7-10 shooting while
Macey Gandee and
Micah Hannah added 14 and 10 each.
UP NEXT
Emporia State's four-game homestand will continue on Thursday, January 15 with the second edition of the Turnpike Tussle. The Lady Hornets and Ichabods are scheduled to tipoff at 5:30 p.m. from White Auditorium.
