February 5, 2026 – In a game where neither team led by more than five, Emporia State pulled out a 65-63 ranked win against 15th-ranked Pittsburg State on a buzzer-beater by
Vanessa Coleman.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game started in hectic fashion between the Lady Hornets and Gorillas, as the first quarter featured six turnovers and a combined just 1-10 from beyond the arc for both teams. The Gorillas held a slim 17-14 lead heading to the second.
The offense picked up slightly in the second, and the lead changed hands four times in the frame. Emporia State's largest lead of the first half came with the Lady Hornets leading the 15th-ranked Gorillas 26-22 with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.
After the lead switched back to Pittsburg State, the Hornets grabbed a brief lead 33-32 lead with just over two minutes left before the Gorillas scored the final four to take a 36-33 lead at the break.
Following the break, Pittsburg State scored the first two points of the half, but the Lady Hornets never trailed by more than five in the third. Emporia State stayed within one possession through, and eventually scored the final four points on a pair of contested layups by
Kaitlyn Sanders to send the game to the fourth tied 47-47.
The fourth quarter featured more of the same with the Lady Hornets and Gorillas tied 54-54 at the 6:22 mark. Emporia State missed a pair of opportunities to take the lead before Pittsburg State eventually scored four straight to take a 58-54 lead heading into the first called timeout with 4:02 remaining.
Following the break, the Lady Hornets scored the next points on threes by
Lexsey DeWitt and
Kaitlyn Sanders to take a 60-58 lead, their first advantage of the second half. Emporia State eventually led 62-60 after a floater by
Vanessa Coleman.
With ten seconds left, the Gorillas were fouled and made the first to make the score 62-61, and despite a miss on the second, the Lady Hornets were unable to clear the glass and allowed an offensive rebound. After a Pittsburg State timeout, the Gorillas converted with 2.4 remaining to retake a 63-62 lead over the Lady Hornets.
The final opportunity for Emporia State came in front of the Lady Hornet bench as
Kaitlyn Sanders found
Vanessa Coleman curling towards the scorers table and the freshman from Tulsa delivered the game-winner, sealing the 65-63 win over the 15th-ranked Gorillas.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State shot 40.9% from the floor and 8-24 from three. The Lady Hornets forced twelve turnovers by the Gorillas and committed just eight of their own, tied for their third fewest this season.
Vanessa Coleman led all scorers with 22 points on 10-18 shooting while
Kaitlyn Sanders and
Gracie Gilpin added 14 and 13 of their own.
Kaylin Noonan recorded a team-high eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets will remain home as they host Missouri Southern on Saturday, February 7 from White Auditorium. Tipoff between Emporia State and the Lions is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
