Xiangru Chen
Brian Morton, senior guard, blocks a player from Northwestern Oklahoma State while running the ball down the court during last Wednesday’s game at White Auditorium. Hornets lost 71-72 against the Rangers.
The Hornet men fell 71-72 to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers Nov. 22 at home in White Auditorium.
“Our guys took it upon themselves to compete,” said head men’s basketball coach,Shaun Vandiver.
The first quarter started out tight with a 7-2 Rangers lead. The Hornets answered with 15:00 left in the quarter to put up a few points and raise the score 11-7.
The greatest lead of the game was seven points after Malik Hluchoweckyj, junior guard, shot a three-pointer for the Hornets, allowing for a 18-11 lead over the Rangers. At half, the Hornets narrowly took the lead, 30-28.
The second quarter was just as close, with neither team leading by more than a five point margin. The Rangers made a quick two points off of a foul by the Hornets at the free throw line, tying the game yet again, 30-30.
This was the 12th of 16 tied scores within the course of the game. With five minutes left in the half Emporia was leading 59-58 over the Rangers.
This game hit the ground running in the final minute. With 1:08 to go in the half, Stephaun Limuel, senior forward, shot a three pointer, tying the game a 16th and final time, 70-70.
A turnover by the Rangers with 42 seconds remaining left the Hornets in the lead.
Hassan Thomas, junior forward, was called for an offensive foul, turning the ball over with 31 seconds. The Rangers followed with a shot from Treyvon Andres in the paint off of his own rebound, scoring two points and rounding the score, 72-70.
The Ranger bench ran onto the court, thinking the game had finished. However, the Hornets inbounded the ball during the celebration to Brandon Hall, junior guard, who sunk a long three pointer in what seemed to be a victory for the Hornets, 73-72.
However, after much review, the referees decided that Hall had not taken the shot before the buzzer. Northwestern was designated a technical foul for delay of game for rushing the court before the conclusion of the game.
The score was 72-70 Rangers. The Hornets were given one technical shot which was taken and followed through by Hall, raising the score 72-71. The Hornets inbounded the ball but did not get a shot off due to deflection by the Rangers.
“One thing we are working on to improve this season is on our defense. We understand for us to reach our full potential and achieve the goals we have as a team it’s going have to start on the defensive end of the court,” said Brian Morton, senior guard. “Offense comes and goes but defense is what wins championships.”
“It hurts to lose a game in that manner but I’m not going to let me or my guys hold their heads down about it,” Hall said. “There’s still a lot of basketball left, we’re going to be fine.”
On Dec. 2, the Hornets will take on Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma.