Senior guard Sophia Lenard shoots over a FHSU defender Thursday night during the first round of the MIAA Tournament. The Hornets beat the Tigers 72-66.

After a rough start, the Emporia State women’s basketball team was able to pull together and defeat Ft. Hays State 72-66 in the first round of MIAA Tournament action.

A trio of three-pointers late in the game from senior guard Jamie Augustyn led the Hornets to come back from a large deficit.

“I just did what I do,” Augustyn said. “My teammates did a really good job of finding me open, so I just shot it.”

Freshman guard Jocelyn Cummings was the first to score for the Hornets on a slashing move to the basket. With just over 17:30 to play in the first half, the Hornets found themselves down 3-7 thanks to a pivotal Ft. Hays three-pointer.

The first media timeout of the half stopped the action at the 15:56 mark with ESU trailing the Tigers 5-7. Following the timeout, the Tigers went on a 4-0 run until senior guard Sophia Lenard made a basket in the paint.

Another media timeout saw the Hornets still trailing Ft. Hays State, 9-15, with 11:20 remaining in the half.

ESU Coach Brandon Schneider was forced to call a timeout when the Tigers’ lead extended to 11 with 8:09 left in the half.

Senior guard Lacy Corker made a three-pointer following the timeout, cutting Ft. Hays State’s lead to eight, 12-20. Two straight treys from Ft. Hays’ Naomi Bancroft put the Hornets behind by 14 with just over six minutes to play in the half. The final timeout on the floor of the half saw the Tigers with a 29-17 lead over Emporia State with 3:27 remaining.

Senior guard Lacy Corker puts up a 3 point shot Thursday night in Kansas City.

A well executed offensive play by the Hornets saw Cummings take it to the rim and score, cutting the lead to 10. A pair of free throws from Lenard and a slashing basket by Boston saw the Hornets pull within six of Ft. Hays’ lead, 23-29, with just over a minute to play in the opening period.

A three-pointer from the Tigers gave them a nine point cushion going into halftime with a 32-23 lead over ESU.

Schneider said that Hays’ effort in the first half proved to be formidable.

“In the first half, Hays was really good,” Schneider said. “I really felt like the difference between the two halves (was) Hays’ seniors played like they wanted to play another game. They out-competed our seniors.”

Boston led the Hornets in their comeback effort with seven early second half points. A timeout on the floor stopped the action at the 11:33 mark with the Hornets trailing the Tigers 38-47.

Augustyn sparked the comeback by the Hornets, who cut the Tigers lead to four at 43-47 with just under 10 minutes to play. Junior forward Alli Volkens followed up Augustyn’s basket with one of her own on the low block, setting the score to 47-45 in favor of FHSU. Another three-pointer from Augustyn that led the Hornets to within one of the Tigers’ lead, 48-49, led to a timeout by Ft. Hays Coach Tony Hobson.

Senior guard Cassondra Boston attacks the FHSU defense Thursday night in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

Following the timeout, ESU finally took the lead thanks to yet another Augustyn three-pointer. The Hornets went on a 7-2 run after the timeout by Ft. Hays, bringing the score to 55-51 in favor of Emporia State with just over five minutes remaining in the contest.

Boston said that it was at this point the seniors realized it was time to step up.

“We knew we had to pick it up right then and there,” Boston said. “I just kept stressing that every possession mattered. We couldn’t take any possessions off.”

Ft. Hays went on a small run of their own to tie the game up at 55 with 4:08 left to play.

The final media timeout saw ESU leading FHSU 58-57 at the 3:37 mark.

A myriad of lead changes occurred in the final few minutes of the game until a hard earned basket on the low block by Volkens stretched the Hornets’ lead to three, 66-63, with 1:04 remaining in the half.

Following a FHSU timeout, a trip to the charity stripe for Boston led to two more points, extending their lead to five, 68-63 with under a minute to play.

Boston gave the Hornets four more free throw points as the team left the court with a victory over the Tigers, 72-66.

Boston led all scorers with 23 on 6 of 18 shooting. Augustyn chipped in 11 points, while Volkens and senior guard Lacy Corker added 10 points each.

The Hornets will now face Central Missouri in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 on March 6 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

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Junior Guard/Forward Jeremiah Box drives through the FHSU defense Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets overtook the Tigers in a 81-74 victory./PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS

The Emporia State men’s basketball team placed third going into the MIAA Basketball Tournament after beating the Fort Hays Tigers Saturday 81-74.

Both teams came out with a strong defense as only three points were scored in the first four minutes of regulation.

The game continued to stay close as the score seesawed between 10 point Hornet leads and one possession Tiger comebacks.

The Hornets managed to maintain the lead on what was viewed as an important Senior Night home game.

“It was a huge game,” said Head Coach David Moe. “Winning at Washburn made the next game a big game and winning here tonight makes the next game even bigger.”

Defense was key to ESU’s victory.

“We know that most good teams go on runs,” said junior guard Tim Niles. “For the most part we kept our composure and wanted to make sure to take care of the ball.”

Junior guard Lamar Wilbern led the team in scoring with 26 points on the night. Junior guard Robert Moores and sophomore forward Adam Holthaus also hit double digits with Moores scoring 16 points and Holthaus scoring 14 points on the night.

The Hornets continue to average over 50 percent from field goal range and three point range.

The Hornets had seven rebounds on offense and 22 rebounds on defense.

“Defensively we are getting much better because we are talking more, getting up to the ball more and helping more,” Moores said.

With the last several wins attributed to smart defensive play, the team continues to focus on the defensive side of the game.

“It is the same as it has been these last few games,” Moores said. “Defense, defense, defense. That is all we need to do is get stops and face adversity on defense.”

Because last night’s game was the end of regular season play, the seniors on the team said the game was that much more important.

“Well for me it is my last game and I know everyone else wanted to come out of here with a win so it was great to get the win,” said senior guard Alex Pyle.

Following this win, the team prepares for another face off against Washburn University in the MIAA Tournament.

“It gives a little momentum,” Wilbern said. “We have got our rivals coming up. We know it is hard to beat the same team three times. This will be a great opportunity for us so we have got to prepare well and work on some things we have got to work on.”

The Hornets’ record is now 18-9 overall and 12-8 in the MIAA. The team will play their first game of the tournament at 8:15 p.m. March 5 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Doug Irby/The Bulletin

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The Emporia State women’s basketball team was unable to pull out a win against the Washburn Lady Blues last night, ending the game with a score of 87-74.

The Hornets struggled to get the lead in both halves as the Lady Blues played tough defense on their senior night, blocking seven shots in the second half.

“They came out and played a really good game,” said junior guard Sophia Lenard. “We came back throughout the game but they came out strong and worked harder and it showed.”

The Hornets were not able to keep consistent possession on offense with 13 unforced turnovers.

“Throughout the game, it was a lack of concentration I believe,” Lenard said. “We could have moved the ball up more and struggled with the ball. It happens sometimes but we played hard.”

Getting out rebounded 35-31 also contributed the lack of Hornet possession and hindered senior guard Andrea Leiker’s play throughout the game.

“Their size bothered her,” said Head Coach Brandon Schneider. “When they had screens, she did not quite make the reach we would like her to. Point guard play this time of year is really important and we just made too many mistakes at crucial times that never enabled us to get back in control of the game.”

Perimeter shooting was also a factor for the Hornets, who shot 27-66 to the Lady Blues’ 29-62.

“They are a very good team and I think Leiker struggled to make shots and they did a good job of keeping her out of rhythm,” Schneider said.

Though the Hornets lost, their rank in the MIAA tournament will not be affected by this game. The Hornets will not play Washburn again during the regular season but might face off against them in the post season.

“We will work hard on this, come more focused and play more aggressive,” Lenard said. “We each need to come in being the aggressor so that is what we will be working on for the next game.”

The Hornets’ record is now 22-4 overall and 16-3 in the MIAA. ESU plays their last regular on season home game against the Fort Hays State Tigers on senior night at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at White Auditorium.

Doug Irby/The Bulletin

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Junior Guard Sophia Lenard works around a Pittsburg State opponent Wednesday night at White Auditorium. ESU won the game 85-70./PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS

The Emporia State women’s basketball team continued their dominance in the MIAA Wednesday night at home with a strong offensive performance, beating Pittsburg State 85-70.

The Hornets entered Wednesday’s match up in first place in the MIAA with an overall record of 21-3 and 16-2 in conference play. Senior forward Ida Edwards has averaged 14.4 points per game this season.

The Gorillas entered the competition with a 17-6 overall record and 12-4 in conference play. PSU is led by junior forward Nicole McCombs, who averaged 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.

The Hornets lead the series overall, winning 46 and loosing 18 as well as winning 22 out of the last 25 games against the Gorillas.

The Hornets were lead by Edwards, who made 16 points and nine rebounds on the night while completing seven out of 12 her shots on the night.

While junior forward Candice Gilbert led the Gorillas in scoring with 20 points, 12 rebounds and one assist on the night.

The Gorillas took an early lead of 16-10 in the first half until the Hornets bounced back from two consecutive personal fouls on junior guard Lenard and made it a 23-21 ball game with 10 minutes left in the first half.

“Defensively I thought we played on our heels to start the game,” said Head Coach Brandon Schneider. “We had a couple key players commit fouls and we did not want Sophie to have two that early and I think that affected the flow of the game for us. But when we started to play a little more aggressive defensively and playing on our feet better I thought that ignited better offensive play.

The first half ended when Ida Edwards made a two point jumper, which put the Hornets on top 44-34. The Hornets shot at 60 percent in the first half while the Gorillas made 12 out of 31 basket attempts.

The Gorillas struggled on defense, allowing Sophia Lenard to sink a three pointer early in the second. Soon after, Gorillas’ head coach was issued a technical foul that lead into two foul shots made by Edwards, ESU took a 53-41 lead.

“I came into the game with foul trouble,” Lenard said. “When I came in the game in the second half I tried to do what I had to do to help out the team.”

Late in the second half, the Hornets let off on defense and allowed the Gorillas to cut their deficit to 10 points.

“I think we just relaxed a little bit,” Edwards said. ”We had a little run for a few minutes and then relaxed giving up our transition defense and I think that is what gave Pittsburg some threes off of transition giving them some momentum.”

The Hornets are now 22-3 overall and 17-2 in the conference with two games lefts in the season until the MIAA tournament.

If the Hornets defeat Washburn, ESU will be the first seed in the MIAA tournament.

Cristian Echeverria/The Bulletin

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The Emporia State men’s basketball team lost to Missouri Southern last Saturday night 77-71.

Missouri Southern entered the match with a record of 6-9 in conference play and 17-9 in overall play while in ninth place in the conference standings.

On the other side, the Hornets entered the match up with a record of 9-7 in conference play and 15-8 in overall play and tied for fourth place in the MIAA standings.

ESU had a 39-22 lead in the first half and was up 49-26 after hitting four free throws. They would be the last free throws the Hornets would hit until junior guard Tim Niles connected with 11 seconds left in the game.

The Hornets gave away their 23 point lead in the second half while MSSU made a 23-3, run taking the lead. ESU turned the ball over 12 times in the last 16 minutes of the game.

“I think mentally we were not there,” said junior guard Robert Moores. “I think we played the first half thinking they were going to roll over in the second half. We just were not mentally tough enough and even when the other team came back we should have stayed tough and competed and stop letting them run.”

The Hornets made 11 out of 23 shots on the night while allowing MSSU to shoot 60 percent on the night, with 22 of those points coming from Moored and 20 points from Niles, four of which came from the three point range.

“We need to be mentally tougher defending,” Niles said. “Making runs ourselves and play forty minutes of the game and by this time this late in the season we should be able to win on the road.”

ESU is now three and six on the road in conference play and has three more games in the season, one of which is away at Washburn.

“We have to make sure that we respond from this,” said Head Coach David Moe. “There are two ways to go from this we can continue to feel sorry for ourself and not get better or you learn from it and refuse to let it happen again.”

The Hornets have a record of 9-8 in conference play, 15-9 in overall play, are in fifth place in the MIAA standings and two games behind third place.

“We needed to win the last three out of the four games on the road,” Niles said. “Losing games hurts us a little bit but I think we can win the last games if we have enough passion to stretch out till the end of the season leading up to the tournament.”

If the Hornets win their last three games of the season, they could be in contention to enter the MIAA tournament.

The Hornets will play at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday against Pittsburg State in Emporia.

Cristian Echeverria/The Bulletin

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John Armstrong fills in a tattoo on his first customer, Lance Claiborne, at the newly opened Big Tobacco’s House of Ink at 517 Sunnyslope. Armstrong opened the shop after hearing from friends that they wanted a new tattoo parlor in Emporia. COURTESY PHOTO

It’s been a long journey for April Armstrong, ESU alumna, and her husband, John, as they’ve struggled to start their own business. Last Monday, the couple opened their ‘Mom and Pop’ shop, Big Tobacco’s House of Ink, where they said they hope to be in business for years to come.

In the first three days, the shop had at least six customers and John said he thinks they’re off to a pretty good start.

“If a person does one tat a day, you’re doing all right,” John Armstrong said. “The average tattoo costs $100.”

But Big Tobacco’s House of Ink isn’t the only tattoo shop in town.

Monarch Tattoos has been in Emporia for years and, according to the Armstrongs, new tattoo business isn’t exactly welcome in Emporia.

“They’re just not wanting me here,” John Armstrong said. “It’s just the whole state of Kansas. I’ve really had to fight to get here. They’ve been the only shop in town for 15 years. They’ve been used to their way and they don’t want any competition.”

Lara Cotte, owner of Monarch Tattoos, was surprised that someone would want to open another tattoo shop in Emporia.

“I was surprised that someone chose this location,” Cotte said. “Competition is good, you know.”

The Armstrongs spent three months searching for a building to house their shop and would have liked to have been closer to the center of town, April Armstrong said.

Cotte said that she feels that Monarch has an advantage over Big Tobacco’s because they are in a better location. She didn’t have much to say about the supposed disagreement.

“I like to think of other tattooists as my people,” Cotte said. “In this world, we should all be good to one another.”

Being a tattoo artist sometimes comes with a bad reputation and, although John has never been in trouble with the law or drugs, he said that he still can’t get past those stereotypes.

“People just don’t want to let tattoo artists come into their buildings,” John said. “They have a bad reputation, you know the stereotypes. Tattooed people are into drugs, in and out of jail, that kind of thing. It’s the total opposite of me.”

To become a tattoo artist, you must have 1,200 hours as an apprentice. John had to do his apprenticeship in Sioux City, Iowa.

“It’s really difficult to get a license in Kansas,” John said. “I couldn’t find anyone to apprentice me. I was gone for six months.”

John Armstrong also said that the small number of tattoo shops in Kansas makes it harder to get an apprenticeship.

“If you’re the only person in town tattooing, you’re not going to show someone else how to tattoo so that they can open up a shop across the street,” John Armstrong said.

Although John Armstrong is the only person at Big Tobacco’s that has a tattoo artist license, he said that they don’t feel like they are at a disadvantage compared to Monarch.

“I just love tattooing, cheap, affordable tattoos,” John said. “I don’t like ripping people off.”

A tattoo shop has to be open for five years before it can apprentice anyone. April said she would like John to apprentice her when they make it to that point.

“We’re just going to do everything by the book,” April Armstrong said. “We just want to do what we like to do and make a living doing it.”

The Kansas Board of Cosmetology has to approve every step that goes into starting a tattooing business. The board also makes yearly inspections of the shops to make sure that they are sanitary.

“He had to get certified by Kansas,” April Armstrong said. “He had to have 1200 hours before he could take the exams and he had to take a written test and a practicum exam.”

April and John Armstrong have been looking to open another tattoo shop in Emporia for several years.

“I’ve been here since 2000, I just like Emporia,” John Armstrong said. “Everyone wanted a new tattoo shop in town. So, I said I would open a shop up and see how it goes.”

John also said this is a good time to be a tattoo artist because tattoos are getting a big name from Hollywood.

“Tattoo’s are getting big now,” John Armstrong said. “Miami Ink has made it big, LA Ink, all those inked shows. Tattoos are the standard now.”

Ashley Peaches/The Bulletin

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