March 4, 2026-The Lady Hornets used a 12-2 run over the final 4:42 to post a 46-44 win over Northeastern State in the first round of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The offense was hard to come by in the first half as the teams combined to go 16 of 59 for just 27.1% in the opening 20 minutes.  The RiverHawks used an 8-0 run near the end of the first quarter to take a 15-8 lead after one and led 22-17 at the break.  The shooting was worse in the third quarter as Emporia State hit just two of 12 shots form the field while Northeastern State was four of 14 as the teams each scored 12 points.
The fourth quarter started the RiverHawks leading 34-29 and they scored the first points of the furth on a Makala Bingley three-pointer to take an eight point lead. The teams traded scores over the next five minutes as two McKenzie Smith free throws gave NSU a 42-34 lead with 4:42 left.  Katiya Casey came off the bench to hit a three -pointer and Macey Gandee scored on a put back with 3:59 left to get the Lady Hornets within three points. Vanessa Coleman made it a one point game with a put back at the 3:10 mark and Casey hit her second three-pointer with 2:32 left to cap a 10-0 run and give Emporia State a 44-42 lead.
Deyanna Douglas scored inside for the RiverHawks with 1:29 left to tie the game but Casey scored on a pull up in the paint 16 seconds later to give the Lady Hornets a 46-44 lead. Douglas was called for an offensive foul with 52 seconds left to give the ball back to ESU.  Gilpin's shot at the end of the shot clock was off and Douglas grabbed the rebound for Northeastern State with 19 seconds left. Emporia State nearly forced a turnover with 3.6 seconds left but the RiverHawks were able to get a timeout.  Gabrielle Tilley's three-pointer was off and Casey grabbed the rebound as time expired to send Emporia State to the Quarterfinals.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Gracie Gilpin led Emporia State with 14 points while Macey Gandee scored 11 points with nine rebounds, five steals and five blocks.  Katiya Casey had eight points in ten minutes.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets will take on top ranked Central Missouri at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 in the MIAA Quarterfinals in Municipal Auditorium. It will be the 13^th meeting between the two teams in the MIAA Tournament with Emporia State holding an 8-4 edge.
 

Gracie Gilpin's second three early in the game moves her to 29th on the @ESUHornetsWBB career scoring list with 1,038 in her career. Gilpin passed both Kathryn Flott (2011-12, 15-17) and Jessica Wayne (2016-20). #StingersUp pic.twitter.com/F8YetAovwX

— ESU Athletics (@ESUSports) March 4, 2026

NOTES:
With 14 points Gracie Gilpin moved into 28^th place on the Lady Hornets career scoring list with 1,046 points.  She passed Kathryn Flott (1,035 from 2011-12,15-17), Jessica Wayne (1,037 from 2016-20) and Stacy Humphrey (1,045 from 1992-96).
The Lady Hornets improved to 49-21 (.700) all-time in the MIAA Tournament.
The Lady Hornets are now 3-3 all-time in a first round play in game in the MIAA Tournament.
The Lady Hornets are now 33-17 (.660) all-time in MIAA Tournament games in Municipal Auditorium.