Men's Basketball | 2/6/2026 10:16:00 PM

GAME 23
Emporia State (8-14, 4-9 MIAA) vs Missouri Southern (12-8, 6-5 MIAA)
Saturday, February 7 • 3:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series Record: MSSU leads 56-34 • Last Meeting: ESU 83, at MSSU 74 (Feb. 8, 2025)
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: at Fort Hays State • 7:30 p.m. • February 12 • Hays, Kan. • Gross Coliseum

COMMUNITY HEROES DAY 
Emporia State takes on Missouri Southern on Community Heroes Day at White Auditorium.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 8-14, 4-9 in the MIAA and have played the third toughest schedule in the country. They are third in the MIAA in made three-pointers per game. Chris Harris leads the Hornets at 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Four of their losses have been by five points or less. 

ABOUT THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 12-8, 6-5 in the MIAA. They are second in the MIAA in scoring and in steals. Jaden Taylor averages 18.8 points per game while Gavyn Elkamil adds 13.6 points and ranks second in the MIAA in three-point percentage.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Tom Billeter is 509-306 in his 28th season as a head coach and is 19-32 in his second season at Emporia State after going 394-224 in 21 years at Augustana. With the Vikings he won the 2016 National Championship, went to nine NCAA Tournaments, won three regular season NSIC Championships, two NSIC Tourney Championships, and 18 consecutive winning seasons.   He is 3-0 against Missouri Southern overall and 1-0 with the Hornets.
Sam McMahon is 53-54 in his fourth season at Mo Southern. He is 1-2 against ESU.

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE LIONS
This will be the 91st meeting with Missouri Southern holding a 56-34 overall advantage but the Hornets have won three of the last four contests against the Lions.

LAST TIME VS MISSOURI SOUTHERN
All five Hornet starters reached double figures in an 83-74 Emporia State win at Missouri Southern in Joplin. The Hornets would go seven of eight from the line in the final 42.2 seconds to seal the win. Parker Day had a career high 25 points, including a ten of 12 effort from the free throw line, with nine rebounds to lead Emporia State.  Chris Harris had his first career double-double with 13 points and a career high ten rebounds. Arhman Lewis scored 12 points with five assists while Brayson Laube scored 12 and Karyiek Dixon added ten points.

LAST TIME OUT
In a game that saw nine ties and 17 lead changes, Emporia State put five players in double figures and pulled out an 81-78 win over Pittsburg State. Andrew Pengel led the Hornets with 15 points, all in the first half.  Devin Conley had 12 points while Treyvon Taylor, Trey Redd and Jack Weigus all added ten points. Olafur Styrmisson grabbed a team high 11 rebounds while Redd dished eight assists. 

UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Fort Hays State on Thursday, February 12. Tip-off from Gross Coliseum is set for 7:30 p.m.

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