January 15, 2026 – Emporia State never trailed by double-digits until the final minute, as they fell 75-64 against the visiting top-ranked Ichabods on Thursday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams scored seven in the opening segment, with the Hornets and top-ranked Ichabods tied 7-7 heading into the first media timeout. The trend continued over the next five minutes, as the score remained within one possession for all but 15 seconds as the Ichabods led 18-15 at the under ten timeout.
 
The largest first half lead for the visiting Ichabods came with 3:48 remaining as Washburn led the Hornets 31-23. Emporia State got threes from Dallas Bear and Chris Harris to trim the deficit back to two points before four straight from Washburn closed the half with the Hornets trailing 35-29.
 
Following the break, Washburn had a three-point play to build their first of multiple nine-point leads of the game, a 38-29 advantage. Emporia State responded by nearly pulling level with an 11-3 scoring run, capped off by a Chris Harris three at the 16:27 mark to make the score 41-40.
 
Washburn responded again, this time duplicating the Emporia State scoring run of 11-3 as they rebuilt a nine-point lead with a 52-43 advantage at the 12:23 mark of the second half.
 
Over the final twelve minutes, Emporia State cut the Ichabod lead to four points on multiple occasions, including to 68-64 with an Andrew Pengel three with 1:33 left. However, the Ichabods eventually pulled away, in the final 90 seconds as the Hornets fell 75-64.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 12-32 in both halves, which came to 37.5% from the floor in the game. The Hornets were outrebounded 42-29.
 
Andrew Pengel had 15 points to lead the Hornets while Trey Redd and Chris Harris both scored 12 points of their own.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State's homestand will wrap up on Saturday, January 17 as they host Central Missouri. Tipoff from White Auditorium between the Hornets and Mules is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.