2 February 2024
TALEQUAH, Okla. (KSNT) – Emporia State basketball split its double header Thursday.
The men beat Northeastern State, 73-65. However, the women lost, 81-61.
Men’s recap:
Darius Yohe and Alijah Comithier opened the game with back-to-back baskets, forcing the Riverhawks to call a timeout just 90-seconds in. The two teams traded runs for the duration of the first half. Through the final seven minutes, Northeastern State outscored the Hornets by two. Emporia State trailed, 36-32, at the half.
The Riverhawks scored the second half’s opening basket before an 11-0 scoring run from Emporia State put the Hornets ahead 43-37. The largest lead of the game for Emporia State came after Comithier hit a free throw with 12:12 remaining, giving the Hornets a 51-41 lead. ESU held onto the lead for a 73-65 win.
Four Hornets finished in double-digit scoring: Comithier (23), Atavian Butler (16), Kaden Evans (15) and Owen Long (13).
Women’s recap:
The Lady Hornets started on the right foot, scoring five of the first six points of the game. They kept up with the shots throughout the first quarter, taking a 19-16 lead into the second quarter.
However, Emporia State (9-11, 6-8 MIAA) struggled in the second quarter. It shot just 4-13 from the floor and Northeastern State took a 35-29 lead into halftime.
The offensive struggles didn’t go away during the break. ESU shot 4-17 in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Northeastern State shot 11-16, building as much as a 23-point lead.
The Lady Hornets’ offense finally picked back up in the fourth. They scored 21 points and went 7-8 from the free throw line. However, they couldn’t trim the deficit, leading to a 81-61 loss to the Riverhawks.
Next, Emporia State basketball ends its road trip at Rogers State on Saturday, Feb. 3.