Women's Basketball | 2/27/2026 1:42:00 PM

GAME 28
Emporia State (14-13, 8-10 MIAA) vs. Northwest Missouri (17-11, 10-8 MIAA)
Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 1:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • WL White Auditorium
Series Record: ESU leads 48-20 Last Meeting: at NWMSU 77, ESU 69 OT (12/4/25)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM
Internet Audio: kvoe.com | Television: None | Internet Video: The MIAA Network
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: MIAA First Round • March 4 • 12 or 2:15 p.m. • Kansas City, Mo. • Municipal Auditorium

SENIOR DAY AT WHITE   
The Lady Hornets take on Northwest Missouri in their final regular season home game. It is the final game in White Auditorium for seniors Gracie Gilpin, Kaitlyn Sanders and Macee Gandee.

ABOUT THE LADY HORNETS
Emporia State is 14-13, 8-10 in the MIAA.  They are second in the MIAA in three-point percentage defense. Gracie Gilpin leads the MIAA in total three-pointers made and averages 13.6 points per game. 

ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri is 17-11, 10-8 in the MIAA and have won eight of their last nine. They are second in the MIAA in scoring defense. Sadie MaBailey Birmingham leads the MIAA in three-pointers per game while Sadie Maas is second in blocked shots.

ABOUT THE COACHES
MJ Baker is 14-13 in her first season with the Lady Hornets and is 65-59 in her fourth year as a head coach at a four year institution. She has won 348 games as a collegiate coach and comes to Emporia State after an eight year run at Eastern Florida State College.  She went 183-58 with three conference championships and three trips to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament during her time at EFSC.  She is 0-1 against Northwest Missouri.
Austin Meyer is 114-114 in his eighth year at NWMSU. He is 6-8 against Emporia State.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 68th meeting with Emporia State leading the series 48-20. After the two met in the 2011 MIAA Tournament Championship game, the Lady Hornets have won 17 of 22 games. 

LAST TIME VS NORTHWEST MISSOURI
The Lady Hornets put together a second half surge to erase a 19 point deficit and force overtime, before falling 77-69 at Northwest Missouri in Maryville.
The Lady Hornets trailed 19-16 after one period. The second quarter was a struggle offensively for both teams as they combined to shoot just 4-24 from the floor, with Emporia State tallying just one field goal. Entering the halftime break, the Lady Hornet trailed 26-20.
Northwest Missouri opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run and outscored the Lady Hornets 17-8 over the first five minutes of the second half. The lead grew to as much as 47-28 before Emporia State found their rhythm. The Lady Hornets outscored the Bearcats 14-5, including the final eight of the third to make the score 52-42 heading to the fourth. Emporia State scored 12 of the first 16 points in the fourth, trimming the Bearcat lead to 56-54. Following consecutive baskets by the Bearcats, Emporia State scored eight of the final ten points, capped by Katiyah Casey layup with 7.7 seconds remaining to tie the game 62-62 and force overtime.
In the extra period, a layup from Kaitlyn Sanders at the 4:05 mark put the Lady Hornets ahead for the first time since the first quarter. However the Bearcats outscored the Lady Hornets 15-5, going ten of 14 from teh free throw line the rest of the way.
Kaitlyn Sanders led all scorers with 26 points. Macey Gandee and Gracie Gilpin joined Sanders in double figures with 14 and 11 points each. Northwest Missouri held a 50-33 rebounding advantage, including a 24-5 edge in second chance points. 

LAST TIME OUT
The Lady Hornets trimmed a 23-point third quarter deficit to four points in the final minute before falling 72-67 on the road against Missouri Western on Wednesday night. 
The Griffons hit their first four three-pointers to jump to a 12-0 lead and took a 40-21 lead into the half. Emporia State used a 28-10 run from teh end of the the third into the fourth quarter to get within 60-55 with 5:41 left.  Gracie Gilpin hit a three with 7.9 seconds left to get with in three but MWSU hit two free throws to ice the game. 
Gilpin led all scorers with 22 points. Macey Gandee was the other Lady Hornet in double figures, scoring 16 while adding nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets will make their 30th consecutive MIAA Tournament appearance on Wednesday afternoon in Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

GOING TO KANSAS CITY, AGAIN
The Lady Hornets have clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament for the 30th consecutive year.  They could end up being seeded anywhere in the 7th-10th slot depending on the outcome of today's games. With a win today Emporia State would play Northeastern State in five of eight scenarios with two chances for Missouri Western and one against Neb. Kearney.  

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