The Lady Hornets took on Northwest Missouri on Dec. 5, taking their first win over a top ten team since 2019. 

ESU scored the first five points of the game and never lost the lead. They finished the first quarter 21-9 while scoring the last nine points of the quarter.

With 5:12 left in the second quarter, Northwest trimmed the Hornets’ lead to just five, 24-19. The Hornets responded with a 12-2 run, seeing scores from five different players and leading 36-21 at the break.

Aiding in the Hornets 42-27 lead in the third period, Gracie Gilpin hit a three pointer after making one of two free throws. The Lady Hornets took a 60-39 lead with 1:38 left in the quarter, but the Bearcats responded by scoring the final six points to close within 60-45 going into the fourth.

Scoring the first five points of the final quarter, Northwest cut the lead to 60-50, but ESU graduate student guard Katie Hornya stopped their 11-0 run. However, a made free throw allowed Northwest to further close the gap 62-53. 

The Lady Hornets later went on another run, 8-0, to make the score 70-53 with 5:27 left in the quarter. The Bearcats answered with an 8-0 run of their own to get within 70-61 with just two minutes left. ESU then made three of four free throws in the final minutes to claim the 75-66 win against the Bearcats.

The Lady Hornet’s later fell to the Missouri Western Griffons on Dec. 7 in St. Joseph, Mo. They will be back in action on Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in White Auditorium to play against Bellevue University.