February 12, 2026 – The Hornet men never trailed in the first half, but eventually fell on the road to Fort Hays State 62-56 on Thursday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game opened with the Hornets and Tigers combining to miss their first five attempts before Emporia State made four of their next five and limiting the Tigers to 1-7 from the floor to take a 9-3 advantage into the first media timeout. Emporia State led by eight after the timeout on a jumper by Dallas Bear and again later in the first half as a Chris Harris three put the Hornets ahead 22-14 at the 8:56 mark.
 
However, over the final nearly nine minutes of the first half, Emporia State made just one of 12 attempts from the floor as their lead shrunk to 24-22 entering the break.
 
In the first half, both teams shot below 40% and combined to go 3-18 from beyond the arc.
 
Following the break, Fort Hays scored the first basket of the second half, taking a 25-24 lead on a three by Martino and the Hornets were never able to find their way back in front. The shooting struggles for Emporia State continued early in the second half, as their first points of the second half finally came at 16:25 mark on a Trey Redd three.
 
Following the Chris Harris three in the first half, the Hornets managed just two points in over 12 minutes of game time. Fort Hays State eventually built their largest lead, 43-32, with 8:29 remaining.
 
Emporia State would outscore the Tigers 7-0 over the next four minutes, closing the gap to 43-39 with 4:23 to play, but were unable to get any closer, as Fort Hays State grew their lead back to nine points with just over two minutes left.
 
The Hornets attempt to climb back in the final minute, but Fort Hays State held off the effort as they converted eight of nine free throw attempts in the final 75 seconds as Emporia State fell 62-56.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot just 19-54 from the floor and 7-27 from three on the night. The Hornets also committed 13 turnovers while forcing just four from the Tigers.
 
Trey Redd and Mason Jones led the scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State will continue their trip out west with a road matchup against Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, February 14. The Hornets and Lopers will tipoff at 3:30 p.m.