Women's Basketball | 1/8/2026 8:05:00 PM
Box Score January 8, 2026 – The Lady Hornets held an early first quarter lead and remained within single digits of the sixth-ranked Tigers until the final stages, as they fell to Fort Hays State 82-64 on Thursday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter was controlled mostly by Emporia State, as the Lady Hornets forced six Tiger turnovers and held the visitors to just 5-20 shooting in the first ten minutes, as they took a 14-10 lead into the second frame.
Fort Hays State found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 10-16 from the floor on their way to 25 points and a 35-28 halftime lead over the Lady Hornets.
Gracie Gilpin had 11 first-half points and both teams were 2-11 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.
Following the break, Fort Hays State continued to lead the Lady Hornets by multiple possessions, with the Tigers leading 48-40 at the 3:39 mark. Emporia State finally put together a run, scoring nine of the next 11 points with a Gilpin three pulling the Lady Hornets within one at 50-49. A Piley jumper gave the Tigers a 52-49 advantage heading to the fourth.
Fort Hays State and Emporia State traded baskets in the first minute of the fourth as the Lady Hornets trailed 54-52. The Tigers then put together a 19-6 scoring run over the next six minutes, as their lead expanded to 73-58 with 3:27 remaining. The lead would swell to as much as 82-60 before the score settled at 82-64 with Fort Hays State grabbing the win over the Lady Hornets.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 36.8% from the floor, while #6 Fort Hays State shot 46.5%. The Tigers outrebounded the Lady Hornets 50-32, which included 16 offensive boards.
Gracie Gilpin was the lone Lady Hornet in double figures with 18 points.
Vanessa Coleman had nine points while
Macey Gandee and
Micah Hannah both had eight.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will take on Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, January 10. Tipoff between the Lady Hornets and Lopers is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. from White Auditorium.
