26 January 2024
KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNT) – The Hornets nearly swept the Lopers on Thursday, but come home splitting the trip instead.
Emporia State men’s basketball beat UNK, 77-58. The women’s team lost down the stretch, 68-64.
Men’s recap:
Both teams traded baskets in the opening minute. Then, Emporia State put together a 16-4 run, capped with a 3-pointer from Atavian Butler to give the Hornets an 18-6 lead with less than 15 minutes left in the first half.
The Lopers scored the final two points of the first half, but ESU (13-7, 6-6 MIAA) took a 48-22 lead into halftime.
The Hornets increased their lead, building a 63-32 lead with 13:29 left. They cooled down offensively in the second half, shooting just 8-31 from the floor, but went 11-15 from the free throw line.
Butler led all scorers with 22 points and five 3-pointers, setting a new career-high. Cael McGee scored 13 points, also setting a career-high. Alijah Comithier and Owen Long joined Butler and McGee in double figures: Comithier with 17 and Long with 12.
Women’s recap:
Emporia State (9-9, 6-6 MIAA) scored the opening basket on a layup from Stevie Stinchcomb. Then, Nebraska-Kearney scored six-straight points to take a 6-2 lead. The Lady Hornets rallied, scoring nine of the next 12 points to restore their lead to 11-9 with 1:57 to go in the first quarter.
The two teams continued to trade buckets, but the Lady Hornets led by just one at the half.
The tight play continued into the third quarter. The largest lead for either team came from the Lady Hornets. They held a 44–37 lead with 5:55 to play in the quarter.
The lead changed four times in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. Gracie Gilpin drilled a 3-pointer with 5:26 remaining to give the Lady Hornets a 59-57 lead. However, Emporia State missed its next five field goals and four free throws before the Lopers made a 3 with 1:36 remaining. The home team took a 60-59 lead.
Nebraska-Kearney was able to go 8-8 from the free throw line during the final 90 seconds, and Emporia State was unable to retake the lead.
Next, Emporia State basketball plays at Fort Hays State on Saturday.