January 23, 2026 –
Gracie Gilpin scored a career-high 31 points to lead the Lady Hornets to a 77-71 road win over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Friday afternoon,
HOW IT HAPPENED
Arkansas-Fort Smith's largest lead came just under three minutes into the game as they opened a quick 9-0 lead over the Lady Hornets and forced Emporia State to take a timeout.
Over the final seven minutes of the first, Emporia State responded in large part due to
Katiya Casey, who scored 11 straight points to put the Lady Hornets ahead 11-9 on their way to a 19-15 advantage through one quarter.
The second quarter featured hot shooting from both teams, as the Lions shot 8-15 and the Lady Hornets converted half of their attempts from the floor.
Gracie Gilpin excelled in the second, converting five of seven threes on her way to 17 points in the quarter, which helped her move into sixth place all time on the Lady Hornet career three point field goals list, passing Andi McAlexander (196 from 2002-06). The Lady Hornets held a narrow 38-37 lead at the break with Gilpin and Casey combining for 32 of the Lady Hornets' 38 first half points.
Following the break, the Lions nearly replicated their run to open the game as they put up seven straight points to take a 44-38 lead. Eventually Emporia State rallied to take a 48-47 advantage, and the lead changed hands three times in the three minutes of the third with Arkansas-Fort Smith leading 53-52 heading into the fourth.
Following three lead changes early in the fourth, the Lady Hornets held a 56-55 lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game. Emporia State put together their best shooting quarter of the game, going 9-11 from the floor and 5-6 from the free throw line to close out the 77-71 win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 46.4% from the floor and made ten threes for the first time this season. The Lady Hornets shot 55.6% from three and 93.8% from the free throw line, both season bests.
Gracie Gilpin scored a career-high 31 points and made a career-best seven threes to lead the Lady Hornets.
Katiya Casey scored in double figures for the second time this season, as she recorded a career-high 17 points of her own.
Macey Gandee added nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
The road trip for the Lady Hornets will continue Thursday, January 29 as they travel to Claremore, Okla. for a matchup with Rogers State. Tipoff between Emporia State and the Hillcats is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
NOTES
Gracie Gilpin is the first Lady Hornet since Tre'Zure Jobe in 2023 to score 30 points in a game.
