February 5, 2026 – Five Hornets scored in double figures as Emporia State outlasts Pittsburg State 81-78 on Thursday night from White Auditorium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Andrew Pengel got the scoring started with a pair of threes in the first 90 seconds as the Hornets led 6-2. Pittsburg State answered the early burst on their way to taking a 21-17 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining, which proved to be their largest lead.
 
Emporia State stayed within one possession throughout the next six minutes before a pair of Jack Weigus free throws put the Hornets ahead 30-29. Weigus followed the freebies with a triple to extend the lead to 33-29, the largest for Emporia State in the first half.
 
After the Gorillas rallied back to take a brief 40-38 lead, Emporia State outscored the visitors 10-4 over the final two minutes, as they held a 48-44 lead at the break.
 
Following the break, Pittsburg State put together a scoring run immediately, outscoring the Hornets 9-2 to take a 53-50 advantage with just under 17 minutes left. Emporia State eventually retook the lead with 12:57 to go, as Justin Mack nailed a three to put the Hornets ahead 60-57.
 
The Hornets would expand their lead to five on multiple occasions, before a Chris Harris three with 9:10 remaining gave Emporia State a 68-62 lead, their largest of the game. Pittsburg State continued to push back, as another run brought the score back level at 72-72 with 5:18 left.
 
Emporia State kept the Gorillas from taking the lead as three points by Olafur Styrmisson followed by a Chris Harris triple at the 3:04 mark restored the six-point advantage. Emporia State missed their next two field goals as the Gorillas closed the gap in half heading into the final minute, before a layup by Trey Redd put the Hornets ahead 80-75 with 40 seconds left. The five-point margin was short lived, as the Gorillas converted from deep, their 13th of the game to close the gap to 80-78 with 31 seconds remaining.
 
The Gorillas fouled Trey Redd on the ensuing possession, but he missed the front end of the bonus. Pittsburg State drove the lane but was turned back by Chris Harris. Dallas Bear collected the rebound and converted the first free throw but the second came off to give the Gorillas a final chance down by three.
 
The Gorillas got a look in the corner, but it missed long, and the ball was secured by Styrmisson. The Hornets were unable to convert either free throw, and the long range heave was off the mark as Emporia State picked up the 81-78 win.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 45.3% from the floor and outrebounded the Gorillas 37-32. The Hornets made 11 threes, their sixth game this season in double digits. Five different Hornets scored in double-digits, led by Andrew Pengel with 15 points.
 
UP NEXT
The Hornets remain home for a Saturday afternoon contest against Missouri Southern. Tipoff between the Hornets and Lions is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 7.