Freshman Rheanna Egli takes a shot over the Central Missouri defense Friday night during the MIAA tournament in Kansas City. The Hornets won 74-69. Jon Coffey/ The Bulletin

Emporia State survived a late run and even extra minutes to advance past the first round of the MIAA tournament on Friday. The Jennies of Central Missouri fought back to cover a seven point deficit in the final 2:45 of regulation and push the game into overtime. However, the Hornets were too much for the Jennies in overtime as they game went to ESU 74-69.

“I’m sure it was more fun to watch than to coach,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “Central’s a really talented team, and we knew that coming in. It’s tough to beat anybody three times in one season, and we expected a dog fight, and that’s exactly what it was.”

The game was controlled by ESU early on and for most of the contest. After UCM tied things up at six early on, the Hornets took control leading by as many as eight points.

UCM fought hard though claiming their first and what would be their only lead of the game. The end of the half belonged to ESU, however, as they ended it with a three point lead. Despite controlling the game, the Hornets struggled with turnovers.

“I think Central’s better than their record is and are capable of making a lot of plays with a lot of people, and they did that tonight,” Collins said. “I didn’t want Alli V to have seven turnovers in the double team. She’s been handling it great. She gets double and triple teamed every time she touches it. She didn’t do a good job of getting out of there as she has in the past.”

The game saw much of the same flow until UCM began to take over with less than three minutes to go. Missed free throws by the Hornets helped, and Nicole Caddell made a turnaround with 8.3 left. Rachel Hanf would miss her potential game winner.

“It wasn’t set up,” Hanf said “Rhea (Egli) just handed it off to me, and I got a really wide open look. I thought it was going in, but I got a good look so that’s all that matters.”

In overtime, the Hornets capitalized on their charity stripe opportunities, knocking down all eight of their tries.  UCM would have a chance down one with 17.6 remaining but would turn the ball over. Two Hornet free throws and a missed three pointer by UCM led to a Hornet victory.

“We had a mental lapse there the last two minutes (of regulation),” said Alli Volkens. “But I think we really responded in the first couple of minutes of overtime. Like Jory said we made some plays down the stretch.”

Volkens scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the contest as Jocelyn Cummings added 17 points. After the win, the Hornets set their thoughts on defeating Washburn in the semifinals.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Sophomore Jocelyn Cummings is fouled on a layup by Pittsburg State’s Lauren Brown Wednesday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets lost 73-71. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Facing off against Pittsburg State on Wednesday, the Emporia State women’s basketball team fought through a tumultuous game to end up losing in the last seconds, 73-71.

“We are really disappointed,” said sophomore guard Rachel Hanf. “They made nice shots and made a lot of their three-pointers.”

In the first half, the Hornets tied twice, held the lead once but began to fall further behind as their defense was unable keep PSU in check. In the first half alone the Hornets had 11 turnovers.

“Turnovers are killing us right now,” said freshman forward Kelsey Balcom. We’d get a steal and turn it right over.”

The Hornets got down by 11 at most and got as close as one behind, but could not secure a lead. Trailing at the half the Hornets came off a scoring run that brought them to only two points behind going into the second.

“I thought we were horrible in the first half, we couldn’t guard anyone,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “To give up 44 in a half is not something you can do and still expect to win a game.”

Starting the second half the Hornets make a field goal to tie the game. Ali Volkens makes a field goal to take the lead and draws a foul to get another point. PSU gained the lead back almost immediately and then made it into a six-point lead on an 8-0 run.

“The focus was to get (the ball) in, and we did a good job of it,” Volkens said. “We just got into foul trouble.”

The Hornets were able to tie it up with 9:10 left in the half, then take the lead with a three-pointer making the score 61-58. PSU followed up with two more three-pointers, going for a 10-0 scoring drive to build a seven-point lead.

“We had some opportunities to maybe get a three, four, five point lead, but every time we got a three point lead or tie they got a big shot,” Collins said. “We just couldn’t get over the hump.”

With 2:11 left in the half the Hornets made a comeback to tie the game again at 68-68. Getting down to the last minute the lead changed twice and was tied with nine seconds to go. The Hornets foul trouble caught up with them when Collins made a bad play call while the score was tied allowing PSU to make two free throws with a second left to seal their victory.

“We made a good play to get it tied it up, but I cost us the game because I (told) my kid to foul, total screw up on my part,” Collins said. “We had other opportunities to take the lead and go ahead, but we didn’t get it done, and had the (mistake) in the last three seconds and put them at the line to win it.”

The Hornets’ record dropped to 15-8 overall and 12-7 in the MIAA. They play Lincoln this weekend at home.

Chris Dvorak

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After a disappointing road series in which the #14 Emporia State

women’s basketball team lost two of three, the Hornets returned home to face-off against Truman State University. The Hornets were able to prevail 69-67 after a nine point deficit in the second.

“The last two games we’ve gotten out toughed and out physicalled… I thought (today) we fought back,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “To come back from 10 behind with 15 minutes to go shows toughness.”

Both teams started off the game answering shot for shot. However, the Hornets controlled the momentum leading by as much as six points in the early going. After drawing a foul late, senior forward Alli Volkens connected on one of two free throws to tie the game at 36 entering the break.

“This was a must win for us. Ever since I’ve been here, we haven’t lost three in a row,” Volkens said. “We’re in a nine game season. The last nine games of the season will really determine what will happen to us.”

The second half began with the Hornets losing the lead as Truman capitalized off free throw opportunities. The Hornets called a time out after an 8-2 run by Truman that left them down by six.

“(Collins) gave us a stat the other day. From the 16 to the 13 minute mark in the second half, we’re being out-scored 60-13,” Volkens said. “We’re struggling to put together a solid 40 minute (game).”

The Hornets reversed their fortunes going on a 12-0 scoring drive after being down nine points to take the lead for the first time in the half which put Truman on a four minute scoring drought. Sophomore guard Rachel Hanf made four three-pointers in the game, two of them coming late in the second half.

“I was just taking shots when I was open,” Hanf said. “I didn’t shoot one time, and coach got mad at me… Coach just said (to the team) to get me the ball when I was open.”

With a minute to go, Truman tied the score at 65. Volkens drew a foul with two seconds to go, hitting both foul shots to win the game.

“I wanted to vomit. I missed a one-and-one, and this was my chance to make up for it,” Volkens said. “I have a little bit of a routine I go through, and I go through the routine… Free throws are about confidence.”

The Hornets broke a two-game losing streak increasing their standings to 13-5 overall and 10-4 in the MIAA.

“All your home games are must wins if you want any shot to be at the top of the (conference),” Collins said. “Most teams going down the stretch are going to be able to hold court at their home court, but we have to win some road games to be (conference) champions.”

Chris Dvorak

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The #11 Emporia State women’s basketball team defeated unranked Fort Hays State Wednesday in a 67-57 victory. The Hornets had an early five point lead, which was whittled down and eventually taken away, leaving the score 32-29 at the half in favor of Fort Hays. The second half followed with more big runs by both teams, but the Hornets made big plays offensively and defensively to keep Fort Hays from running away with the game.

Alli Volkens lead the offense with a double-double scoring 24 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures was Rachel Hanf with 14 points and Rheanna Egli with 11. The Hornets are now 12-3 on the season and 9-2 in the MIAA. ESU will travel to NW Missouri on Saturday as they look to continue their success.

Chris Dvorak

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Collins

What are your thoughts about the team after the first couple of games?

I like the level of intensity that our team has shown through the first couple of games. We are far from a finished product, but it’s nice to win games while trying to get better.

What adjustments have you had to make from being an assistant coach to a new head coach?

The preparation for practice or a game is much more detail oriented. It’s a much faster pace when you are the one trying to decide what to do for two and a half hours.

What do you think your team’s strengths are this early in the season?

So far we have been a balanced team. We have six juniors and seniors that know how to lead and win ball games, and they have played well early this year. Just as important though, we have been fortunate to have some of our underclassmen step as well. We have players that on any given day can step up and be leaders. This team really doesn’t have an ego or care who gets the attention as long as we are playing well.

Who are the main leaders of this year’s team?

Certainly Alli Volkens as she has been a big part of the program for a couple of years now. Ashley Ferrell is a leader by example rather than being a vocal leader. Rachel Hanf and Jocelyn Cummings have filled in nicely for some of the players that left last year. Each practice and game we might see a different leader.

What do you see as being a weakness for this team this year?

We don’t have a lot of game experience as a team. There are only two players with one full year of game experience. There is a certain feel for situations which you just can’t simulate in practice.

How do you and the team stay focused with such high expectations such as defending national champion and a #6 ranking in the polls?

This program has been good for awhile now, and we realize that we are going to get everyone’s best shot all season long. Our players understand they were recruited to win every night, and those expectations don’t bother them. They expect to do well all the time.

What are your expectations for the MIAA this season in women’s basketball? Who do you see being the major competitors this season?

It’s the toughest league in the country, no doubt. If we don’t play well, the bottom three teams of the conference are capable of beating us. Missouri Western, Washburn, and Southwest Missouri are always really tough, and I expect it will be those three plus us battling for a conference title.

Chris Hopkins

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Sophomore guard Brittney Miller struggles against the CMU defense Saturday night in the second round of tournament play. The Hornets were not able to catch the Jennies and finished the game 74-79.

The Emporia State women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a slow start against Central Missouri Saturday afternoon as the team lost to the Jennies, 74-79.

ESU Coach Brandon Schneider gave UCM guard Kara Fleming credit for their explosive first half.

“I thought Central Missouri was just really, really good in the first half, Kara Fleming in particular,” Schneider said. “Her stat sheet at halftime looked like an NBA line. She really did a great job of getting to the basket, creating plays for others and just being the heart and soul of their team.”

The Jennies were the first to score on a three-pointer from guard Brittney Slifer. Junior forward Alli Volkens scored four consecutive points for the Hornets to start the offensive barrage, the first two coming from the free throw line and the next two in the paint.

The Hornets went up by three at 12-9 thanks to a half hook shot from sophomore guard Brittney Miller with just over 15 minutes to play. The first timeout on the floor of the half stopped the action with the Hornets trailing Central Missouri 12-13 with 13:18 remaining in the half.

Right out of the timeout, freshman guard Rachel Hanf hit a three-pointer at the top of the key, giving the Hornets a 15-13 lead.

With 9:23 left in the half, the Hornets were up on the Jennies 22-20.

Senior guard Cassondra Boston goes for a lay up Saturday night at Kansas City.

Central Missouri used quick defense to go on a 10-2 run, putting the score at 30-22 in favor of UCM before Schneider called timeout with 7:41 left in the half. The Jennies continued their dominance, leading the Hornets by as much as 11 with 5:10 to play in the first half.

UCM called timeout after an ESU comeback effort set the score at 38-44, advantage Central Missouri.

The Hornets went into the locker room at halftime still trailing UCM, 41-50.

Emporia State started the second half on a 7-2 run, sparked by a big three-pointer from senior guard Lacy Corker. A Central Missouri timeout broke the action with the Hornets behind the Jennies 48-52 with 17:20 left in the contest.

The first media timeout of the half saw the Hornets still trailing UCM, 48-54, with 15:52 to play.

The Hornets battled back to cut the lead to one at 53-54, but a string of Jennies long shots put Emporia State back down by six, 53-60 with 11:59 left in the second half.

Thanks to a shot from behind the arc from Corker, the Hornets only trailed the Jennies by two, 60-62, with just over nine minutes remaining.

Senior forward Alli Volkens shoots over a Jennies' defender Saturday night in Kansas City.

Central Missouri used a quick spurt to get back up by eight points, 70-62, with 7:29 to play before Schneider called timeout. The final media timeout of the game saw Emporia State trailing Central Missouri 67-72 with 3:51 left in regulation.

The Hornets pulled within two of UCM’s lead at 71-73 with 1:28 remaining before Schneider called timeout to set up a play.

A traveling call on Volkens gave Central Missouri possession with under a minute to play.

In the end, the Hornets couldn’t overcome the deficit and fell to the Jennies, 74-79.

According to Corker, the team’s defense was a cause of concern throughout the game.

“Offensively, things were going fine now and then, but then once we would do good on offense, we’d come down on defense and they would come right back at us,” Corker said. “We didn’t get enough stops at the right time.”

Senior guard Cassondra Boston said that the team’s slow start led to the eventual loss.

Senior guard Lacy Corker works for a shot Saturday night in Kansas City.

“They just came out really hard and played really well,” Boston said. “We started off really slow, and at this time of the year we can’t keep starting off really slow like that.”

Boston led the Hornets in scoring with 22, while also adding five steals and four rebounds. Volkens chipped in 15 points and nine boards.

The loss marked the end of the road in the MIAA Tournament for the Hornets. The team will now wait to see where they are seeded for the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament.

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Senior guard Cassondra Boston launches a 3-point shot over an FHSU defender Wednesday night at White Auditorium. Boston was the top scorer of the night with 26 of ESU’s 88 points. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Despite 17 turnovers, the Emporia State women’s basketball team routed the Tigers of Ft. Hays State last night, 88-67.

To start the half, sophomore guard Brittney Miller swished a three-pointer to give the Hornets an early lead. Miller scored the next two points for the Hornets on their next possession, this time from the free throw line.

The post presence of forward Alli Volkens was known as soon as she checked in – on the team’s first possession with Volkens in the game, she was given the ball and made an easy bucket down low. The Tigers, being ever resilient, would not give up and come back to within one of the Hornets, 14-13, with just over 14 minutes to play in the half.

After a media timeout and an empty Ft. Hays possession, Boston drove the entire length of the court and made a layup, giving the Hornets a seven point lead, 20-13, with 12:03 left in the half. Volkens continued her show of dominance on the low block offensively, scoring a slashing layup off of a backdoor pass, bringing the score to 27-25 with just over six minutes to play in the first half.

A timeout on the floor paused the action with the Hornets holding onto a narrow lead, 29-26, with 4:54 remaining in the half. With less than a minute in the half, Volkens struck again on the low block, giving the Hornets the slight advantage at 34-30.

Senior guard Sophia Lenard looks for an opening in the Tiger defense Monday night at White Auditorium. Lenard got 5 rebounds and 9 points for Hornets. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

To end the half, Ft. Hays guard Naomi Bancroft chucked up a prayer from beyond the arc, which was answered as the shot banged into the net, cutting the Hornets lead to one, 34-33.

To start the second half, FHSU scored first on the low block and took the team’s first lead of the game, 35-34. On the ensuing ESU possession, Taylor was the first to score for the Hornets on a second chance jump shot from three feet out. After a made Ft. Hays free throw, Miller used her strength to power through a foul and make the basket and the free throw that followed. Miller scored again on a fast break, driving to the hole and making a contested layup which brought the score to 41-38 in favor of ESU.

Freshman guard Rachel Hanf shot and made her first three-pointer of the night, adding to the Hornets lead. A timeout on the floor saw the Hornets with the slight edge, 46-42, with 14:29 remaining in the contest.

Junior forward Alli Volkens goes for a layup Wednesday night at White Auditorium. Volkens totaled 11 points against the Tigers. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Emporia State continued their small run after the timeout, this time courtesy of senior guard Sophia Lenard on a spinning move that ended in a jump shot. After a made free throw by FHSU’s Kara Champlin, senior guard Cassondra Boston made a trey that put the Hornets up by eight with just over 13 minutes to play in the game. Freshman guard/forward Jocelyn Cummings extended the lead to 10 points off of a layup, then added two more points in the paint, on the ensuing ESU possession.

A media timeout saw the Hornets commanding a lead over the Tigers, 62-50, with 9:17 left to play in the half. Emporia State went on an 8-2 run after the timeout, thanks largely in part to consecutive three-pointers from Boston.

The Hornets coasted the rest of the way, capturing the easy win, 88-67.

ESU Coach Brandon Schneider was not pleased with the team’s first half performance.

“In the first half we had 11 turnovers, we were sloppy,” Schneider said. “We weren’t patient. We were trying to go inside, and we weren’t patient and didn’t execute a couple out of bounds plays where we threw the ball away.”

Boston said that the beginning of the second half was shaky for the team.

“In the second half we kind of got a little complacent and let them back in it,” Boston said. “We weren’t rebounding and getting as many stops as we needed to. In the second half we realized that they were in it and we need to come out and play hard.”

Hanf noted team chemistry, along with talent, as important factors in the team’s recent success.

“Everyone on the team has the ability score a lot,” Hanf said. “Once we all get on the same page and start doing what we can, it really helps.”

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Guard Brittney Miller works for an opening against a UCM defender Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets beat the Jennies 72-66. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

The Emporia State women’s basketball team, coming off a 1-1 conference road trip, opened home play Saturday with a win against Central Missouri, 72-66.

The Hornets started the game down early, 13-7 with 15:48 left in the first half. The Jennies would increase their lead to nine at the first media timeout, leading the Hornets 16-7. Central Missouri extended their lead even more, this time leading the Hornets by 10 at 23-13 with 10:33 left in the half – ESU would call timeout.

After the timeout, the Hornets would battle back to within seven, with key efforts from senior guard Cassondra Boston, freshman guard Rachel Hanf and a big-time block from sophomore guard Brittney Miller.

Freshman Kelsey Newman would hit a three in the corner to get the Hornets within four, taking the score to 28-24 in favor of the Jennies. The presence of sophomore forward Allie Volkens continued to be a frustration point for Central Missouri – she would nail two free throws to narrow the Jennies lead to two before a UCM timeout. Volkens would be the one to tie the game for the Hornets at 28-all with a nice spin move on the low block, however, Central Missouri would answer with a bucket of their own to take the lead again at 30-28.

Once again, Volkens hit another low block basket to tie the game at 30 with 4:30 left in the first half. Forward Ashley Ferrell would be the one to give the Hornets the edge this time, coming off a free throw point on foul called on a slashing move to the basket.

Forward Ashley Ferrell takes a lay up Satuday night at White Auditorium against the UCM Jennies. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

With 1:12 left in the half, the score was tied at 33. Junior center Negesti Taylor scored on the low block with 24.3 seconds left, making the traditional three point play that gave the Hornets the lead, 36-33. The Jennies would answer on their own low block with a bucket, closing the half with the Hornets leading by one, 36-35.

Boston said that there was an emphasis put on feeding the low post throughout the first half.

“We started out taking a lot of jump shots, then we started running plays to get inside,” Boston said.” “Alli was scoring, so we kept going to her. We got in the bonus early so we knew we had to take it to them on the inside and score inside.”

Volkens commented on what her expectations were for the game.

“Brandon (Schneider) talked to me in shoot around, and he said that he just wanted me to come off the bench and be a spark for the team,” Volkens said. “We got down early so I just tried to come in and play hard.”

The Jennies would score the first five points of the second half, followed by a three-pointer by Jamie Augustyn to cut the UCM lead to one at 40-39. Augustyn would answer with another three to take the lead for the Hornets, which was followed by a slashing bucket by the Jennies to tie the game at 42 with 17:00 left in the half.

Volkens would continue her reign of dominance on the low block offensively, netting another bucket, giving her 12 points on the night at the time. A timeout on the floor saw a break in the action with the Jennies leading the Hornets

Forward Alli Volkens shoots over a UCM defender Saturday night at White Auditorium. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

50-46 with 14:00 minutes to go in the contest.

The Hornets would pick it up on offense, with senior guard Lacy Corker driving to the basket for a deuce and Volkens once again hitting a low block shot, leading to a traditional three pointer that put the Hornets on top, 54-52 with 10:30 left to go in the half.

After a timeout on the floor, Boston would lead the way for the Hornets, converting on a traditional three point play to give the Hornets the lead at 57-53 with 8:45 to go. Boston would score again, this time giving the Hornets three from beyond the arc, forcing Central Missouri to call timeout.

ESU stepped it up on the offensive side of the ball once more with the help of two consecutive Boston three point plays, putting the Hornets ahead of the Jennies 63-55 with 4:38 left in the contest.

With 1:13 to go, Emporia State called timeout with a six point lead at 67-61. Miller hit a nice basket down low, which was followed by a UCM timeout after a Jennies three-pointer – the Hornets held on to a five point lead.

Full-court pressure on the ESU inbounds play saw a Boston turnover, which converted to two Jennies points, cutting the Hornets lead to three at 69-66.

Forward Jocelyn Cummings looks for an open teammate Saturday night at White Auditorium as ESU faced UCM. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

In clutch fashion, Corker hit a three-pointer with 8.0 seconds left, sealing the deal for the Hornets and giving them the close victory, 72-66.

“I missed a few threes earlier in the game and Boston, they’re always going to come in on Boston when she drives, and when she drove she dished it out and saw us open,” Corker said. “I happened to be the open one, and I made it.”

Volkens led all scorers with 20 points in addition to seven rebounds. Boston added 16 points for the Hornets along with eight assists.

Boston attributed the team’s play to a solid week of practice.

“I think this week (in practice) we really got a lot accomplished,” Boston said. “We had really productive practices this week, and I think it definitely paid off and showed in this game.”

After a short break, the Hornets will be back in action on the road on Dec. 21 against California State University-East Bay in Hayward, Calif.

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