Despite eleven made threes from Newman University, the Lady Hornets let the Jets get ahead in a 71-59 Hornet win on Saturday at White Auditorium.
Both teams struggled offensively for the first ten minutes, with ESU just shooting 5-21 and recording six turnovers. The Hornets were still able to hold a 14-9 lead over the Jets heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Newman found its rhythm shooting four of seven from three-point range but Emporia State maintained the lead the entire time. The Jets were able to get within one point of the Hornets multiple times during play, but ESU kept the lead going into the half 33-27.
After the break, eight of the eleven first points were scored by the Lady Hornets to increase their advantage 41-30. Emporia State had the lead 46-36 when senior guard Gracie Gilpin completed her fourth three-pointer of the game to bring her to 18 points scored for the Hornets that evening. The shot also put her over the 1,000-point mark in her career with ESU basketball.
The Hornets carried a 51-39 lead heading into the fourth thanks to two more points from Gilpin in the final minute of the third. ESU stretched its advantage in the final period to a game high of 65-47 in the last three minutes of play, going on to secure a 71-59 victory over the Jets.
The Lady Hornets play their final road game of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 25 as they travel to St. Joseph, Missouri. Tip-off against Missouri Western is set for 5:30 p.m.
