Emporia State men’s basketball team won 78-66 when they played Pittsburg State on Saturday. 48  of the Hornet’s points were scored from in front of the free throw line.

“We had good ball movement,” said Shaun Vandiver, head coach. “I think we could’ve had more (movement), if guys were down and ready to catch and finish. That’s the name of the game, layups and threes.”

After the first media timeout, with 14:52 remaining in the first half, the Hornets led 13-8.

However, by 9:56 remaining in the first half, the Gorillas held a one point advantage; the score 18-17. Their first four points made during that stretch were put-backs on offensive rebounds.

At the 3:49 mark of the first half, ESU trailed by two points, the score being 29-27. The Gorillas first 29 points were made in front of the free throw line. The Gorillas outrebounded ESU, 17-8, causing PSU to score 13 defensive rebounds.

Finishing the half, the Hornets went on a 9-4 run and led Pitt State by three, the score being 36-33.

Terrence Moore, senior guard, made the most points for ESU in the first half with eight. ESU also had eight points made from turnovers in the first half.

There were nine lead changes during the first half and the Hornets blocked six of the seven shots the Gorillas took from the three point line.

The Hornets began the second half outscoring the Gorillas, 10-5. ESU started the second half in a 2-3 zone half-court defense while the Gorillas shot threes. PSU made one shot out of five they had taken from behind the arc.

With 11:57 left in the game, ESU had a 16 point advantage with the score being 56-40. The Hornets made 7-14 three point shots, in the first 30 minutes. This prompted a gorilla timeout.

After the timeout, PSU began a 2-3 zone formation of defense. Javon Taylor, junior guard, made two, three point shots.

“It’s been a while (since I’ve made a three pointer), but it was only a matter of time,” Taylor said. “Shooters shoot, you have to keep shooting.”

From the 6:13 to 4:29 mark in the second half, the Gorillas made six shots, cutting ESU’s lead from 20 to 14. PSU picked up on defense, forcing ESU to miss shots.

Pitt State called another timeout, after making a three point shot, creating a run of 10 straight points. The score was 67-57 with 2:12 remaining.

PSU was never able to close that 10 point gap and the final score was 78-66.

The Gorillas shot 44 percent in front of the three point line, and just over 20 percent behind the three.

Moore made 17 points for ESU and four other Hornets were in the double digits with their points.

“We made timely stops and free throws when we were suppose to,” Moore said. “When they were in their press (defense) we did a good job of getting the ball to the middle (of the court) and attacking from there.”

The Hornets will play Southwest Baptist at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at White Auditorium.