Emporia took to the road for the 11th time this season to play in the Lady Blues Fall Classic Tournament in Topeka last weekend. The Hornets played four games, two on Friday and two on Saturday. They walked away with a split, going 2-2.

In the first match, the Hornets squared off with the Bronchos from Central Oklahoma. Emporia took the first two sets with scores of 25-21 and 25-20. Central Oklahoma took the third set from the Hornets with a score of 25-20, but Emporia attacked hard in the fourth set, winning 25-22.

Sophomore outside hitter, Paige Vanderpool assisted the Hornets by contributing a double-double of 19 kills and 13 digs, helping Emporia defeat the Bronchos in four sets with a score of 3-1.

“It starts with a good pass and a good set,” Vanderpool said. “We had some good plays but we didn’t play our best. We need to learn from our mistakes and pick it up for the next game.”

In the second game the Hornets faced the Rambelles from Angelo State. The Hornets took the first two sets 25-17 and 25-21, and used the momentum they gained from the first match. Angelo State found ways to get points and won the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-18. The fifth set was a hard battle and junior libero Meg Schwartz encouraged her team on the court. The Hornets were not able to pull away with a victory and took an upset at 15-10, losing the match 2-3.

“With playing good teams, we need to go out there and attack from the beginning,” Schwartz said. “We did that in the first two sets of the last match, and then we just kind of backed off.”

The Hornets took to the court Saturday morning against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. The Hornets came out fired up and destroyed the Wildcats in the first set with a score of 25-8, but the momentum declined and they took a loss in the second set, 25-19. In the third set, the score stayed close until the Hornets eventually pulled away, 25-23. The Hornets lost the fourth set at 25-18. Tied at two sets apiece, both teams battled hard, but Abilene Christian eventually won the final set and match.

In the finale, the Hornets squared off against the Dallas Baptist Lady Patriots. With many hustle plays ESU took the first and second sets, 25-17 and 25-14.  The girls got down early in the third and lost the set, 25-20. In the fourth set, freshman setter, Katie Deutschmann and sophomore outside hitter, Brianna Kaiser both attacked the nets, dominating the Lady Patriots and taking the set 27-25 and winning the match at 3-1.

“Overall we played up and down a lot and it is all mental,” said Bing Xu, head coach. “We played with fear of losing and we need to play with confidence. I told them they can do it with no problem but they have to show the attitude. No matter how many points we are down, we can always fight back to win.”

Chelsie Slaughter

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Senior defender Jessica Decker kicks the ball away from Washburn players during the Turnpike Tussel. The Hornets beat Washburn, 1-0, last Thursday at the pitch. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

Coming off their win against Washburn in the Turnpike Tussel last Thursday, the women’s soccer team tied with the Lions of Lindenwood on Sunday at the Pitch.

After regulation and two overtimes, neither team was able to put one in the goal.

In defensive and physical contest, both teams racked up a combined 23 saves and 25 fouls. The Hornet record now stands at 1-3-4.

“It was definitely a tough one to tie, since we won the other day against such a good team,” senior defender Jessica Decker said. “Our balls just didn’t fall in the net today.”

The game began with ESU controlling possession. Both teams managed four shots on the goal.

In the 45th minute, Decker took things into her own hands with a deep shot on goal. The shot was directed towards the upper left hand corner of the goal. Despite the good placement, Lion goalie Whitney Calvin deflected the ball. Sophomore forward Nikki Sanders was unable to capitalize off the rebound and her shot was blocked.

Minutes later the same scene was repeated. Freshman midfielder Morgan Wheeler placed her shot in the upper right hand corner of the goal, but Calvin denied the shot. Sanders had an open goal opportunity, but she was again denied by the Lion defenders.

“It’s ball watching,” said Bryan Sailer, head coach. “It’s not just one person… it’s everybody, and I did it too as a player. But it’s hard to get beyond that sometimes. It’s so close. It’s a game of inches. (If) that one (shot) was underneath the bar and came straight down another inch, it’s probably in the goal.”

The second half saw more even action as the physical battle escalated. ESU failed to make good use of foul shot opportunities and the game went into overtime without a goal from either team.

The overtime saw both defenses clamp down as neither team registered a serious threat for a goal. Hornet goalie Nikki Schmitz recorded her 11th save of the game in the second overtime, one block shy of her career high of 12.

“Our back four (defenders) helped a lot. They were amazing,” Schmitz said. “My goal is just get nothing in, and that’s what I did.”

Sailer seconded the stout defense of the afternoon.

“Nikki’s (Schmitz) been outstanding,” Sailer said. “Our defense is pretty tight. They came at us a couple times in the second half with I thought a different speed on the outside which caught us off guard a little bit, but our center backs did a good job of keeping them away from our goal and not letting them in on the keeper one-v-one.”

The next game is at 2 p.m. against Missouri Southern on Oct. 2 at the ESU Pitch.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Sophomore outside hitter Paige Vanderpool takes a shot against Missouri Western on Friday. The Hornets won, 3-0, at White Auditorium in Emporia. Bri McGuire/The Bulletin

The Hornets took to the court against the Griffons of Missouri Western last Friday at White Auditorium. The rival teams have met 74 times, each team winning 37 games.

In their most recent face off, the Hornets came out with no fear and attacked the Griffons from the start to the final winning match in three straight sets.

“I think we came out and took it,” said freshman setter Katie Deutschmann. “We got what we were supposed to do done, and our coach was really happy with how we played.”

Early in the first set, with a score of 15-11, freshman middle hitter Courtney Haring spiked the ball to give ESU the lead.

His team down 17-12, frustrated Missouri Western head coach Cory Frederick called a timeout, but it did not stop the Hornets.  They came out strong and scored three consecutive points en route to take the first set 25-17.

To start off the second set, Deutschmann spiked the ball and earned the Hornets the first point. The Hornets then continued to attack the net and tore down the Griffon defense point by point. After an ace from junior libero Meg Schwartz, the Hornets took the lead 14-11. The Hornets won the second set 25-20.

“We wanted to make sure we played with our best potential because we did not feel like we had been before,” said freshman outside hitter Carly Spicer.

Up two sets to zero, the Hornets came out fired up to start the third set. Deutschmann continued to attack the net and helped the Hornets score. The Hornets grabbed the momentum early on as they raced out to a lead of 9-2, forcing the Griffons to take a timeout. Spike after spike, freshman Courtney Haring effortlessly broke down the Griffon defense. Scoring the final point off of a serve from the Griffons, the Hornets won the third set, 25-17. ESU won the match with a score of 3-0.

“We played very well,” said Bing Xu, head coach. “We are a new team and this is a new year for us.”

Emporia will be on the road Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 for the Lady Blues Fall Classic Tournament in Topeka. The Hornets will face Central Oklahoma, Angelo State, Abilene Christian and Dallas Baptist.

“It is a really important tournament,” Xu said. “From now on everything counts, we just have to go there and do our job.”

Chelsie Slaughter

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The Emporia State soccer team failed to win their first game at the ESU pitch this season, losing to the Riverhawks of Northeastern State.

After tying the score at one, the Hornets let the game slip away, 2-1, despite controlling possession.

“We had spurts,” said head coach Bryan Sailer. “We had some good moments. We really played good after that first goal. I think we came out a little maybe overhyped that first half. We don’t concede very easily. Those two goals are the most we’ve given up all year.”

The first half saw both defenses dialed-in as neither team was able to register any serious goal opportunities. ESU was outshot 7-3 in the half but managed to stick with the Riverhawks as each team took three shots on goal.

Perhaps the best opportunity for the Hornets to score a goal in the opening half came to sophomore midfielder Hannah Carlson, who had her shot blocked by a Riverhawk defender.

Neither team wasted time after the break-in action. Northeastern State managed to score a goal in the forty-sixth minute of play. A 35-yard bomb from Riverhawk midfielder Renee Valcarcel gave them the edge early in the second half.

Before either team could soak in the momentum change, freshman midfielder Jordan Foutch beat the keeper off her line and scored off a chip shot to earn her first goal as a Hornet.

“I was just open, lucky open” Foutch said, “and I told coach earlier today, I was like, ‘Coach, I’m going to get one today,’ so I got one.”

The Hornets continued to rally throughout the second half as they controlled the possession for a majority of the period. Sailer was pleased with the second half effort from his team.

“After the goal, that next 20 to 30 minutes, we controlled 90 percent of the ball,” Sailer said. “It was good. It was really good – maybe our best moment so far. Of course we got the goal, and we had other chances to, just couldn’t get the second one.”

Although they controlled the possession for the most part, the Hornet defense was unable to keep the Riverhawks from striking again. In the eighty-second minute, Riverhawk forward Rachel Sordahl scored on a turnaround shot from the left side of the box to give her team the edge they needed to win the game.

What may have been the equalizer for ESU came off a header by sophomore forward Catie Hyde. The shot was in line with the goal, but Riverhawk goalie Deb Hill came away with a great save.

Each team registered 11 shots. The Riverhawks managed to get six shots in the goal to ESU’s five. The Hornets (0-2-1) will look to rebound from the loss on Sept. 13 as they travel to Wayne State in Wayne, Neb. The next home game for ESU is at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18 against Missouri Western.

Sophomore midfielder Hannah Carlson fights to keep the ball in her possession against a Northeastern opponent. Thursday evening’s game was this seasons home opener. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Brandon Schneeberger

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Soccer coach Bryan Sailer practices with the women’s soccer team Wednesday afternoon at the practice field. Wednesday’s practice was the last one before they go on the road to Ada, Okla. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

Head women’s soccer coach, Bryan Sailer, talks about his background and plans for this season.

 Where were you before ESU and what brought you here?

I was at Barton Community College in Great Bend. We were a member of the Kansas Jayhawk community conference. I was there for four years. I came from Colorado to there. I coached high school before that, but I wanted to step up to the college ranks. (Barton) was a struggling program, but I worked my tail off recruiting and coached them up, and we got better. We won the conference in my second year, and it was the first time the school has done anything like that. I wanted to coach at a higher level, and the opportunity came up at Emporia State. I felt like it could be a real good situation to come in to and try to rebuild and do good things here.

Did ESU’s past record have any effect on your decision?

I would rather be in that situation than be in a situation where they were in the national championship (and) then be here. That’s kind of a no win situation. In a sense there’s only one way to go and that’s up. I’m very impatient when it comes to being good. I don’t want it to take too much time, so in that sense, I felt like we could do it quickly. If I thought it was going to take a long time then I wouldn’t have done it. But I didn’t feel that because it’s a good school. It’s well known academically. It’s a good recruiting area, so I felt that with all those things on our side that it wouldn’t take so long – it would be relatively quick.

Last year’s team struggled with ties – what’s the plan on turning those ties into wins?

It’s finishing games. It’s not settling for ties. It’s as much mental as it is physical. I mean the physical aspects of late game failures or struggles a lot of times have to do with fitness, so fitness has to be very high because it is a long grind. You’re talking about 90 minutes plus another 20 or 30 minutes. So physically you have to get stronger as the game goes later. Tactically, a lot of times in those types of games it’s the team that wins, but it’s the individual that scores. I think we’ve been lacking that type of factor – somebody that just steps up, takes the ball and ends the game.

What are some realistic goals for this season?

I always try to set a realistic goal. This year is the first year there’s going to be a conference tournament. There are six teams that are going to make it – I want to make that. Is it too lofty a goal? If people look at our history, it is. But I think we’re good enough and close enough to make that – even if it’s sixth. I really intend to improve on last year, that’s for sure.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Courtesy photo from ESU athletic department.

Although this year marks Garin Higgins’ fifth season as head football coach, he has been a Hornet for more than 20 years, and he was even a four-year letterman under former Emporia State football coach Larry Kramer.

“(Kramer) taught me about being tough and how to handle adversity,” Higgins said. “I always thought that if you could play for Coach Kramer and make it through four years, I could handle any obstacle in life.”

In his first four seasons as the Hornet’s head coach, Higgins compiled a record of 14-30. He is confident that the team is in the process of reversing the trend.

“It’s truly a blessing to come back home,” Higgins said. “It is a big challenge because expectations are high. We are doing everything in our power, the things we can control, to get the program headed in the right direction.”

When Higgins played football for ESU, he helped lead the 1989 Hornets to a national runner-up finish. He has been a part of four teams that have played for or won national championships as a player, head coach or as a coordinator.

“He is a player’s coach,” said junior quarterback Tyler Eckenrode. “He cares about us as more than just players and helps us to succeed in not only football but life as well.”

His first head coaching position was at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he amassed a record of 51-9 over five seasons. All five of those seasons, he coached his team to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics playoffs, with two national runner-up finishes.

“I have known all of my life that I wanted to coach football,” Higgins said. “Some people grow up wanting to be firemen or police officers, but I always knew I wanted to coach football.”

Higgins said he grew up in what he calls a “coaching family.”

“My dad coached for 30 years and I was a field rat,” Higgins said. “I followed him around everywhere just trying to be around football.”

The rest of the coaching staff said they are confident in Higgins’ ability to bring back the “winning tradition” of ESU football.

“Coach brings composure,” said defensive line assistant coach and former MIAA all-conference linebacker Nathan Linsey. “He gets the most out of his players (and) he is a hard worker… the players know that if they listen to Coach Higgins that the desired results will come.”

The Hornets will face the Fort Hays State Tigers in the first game of the season at 7 p.m. tonight in Hays.

Marcus Hix

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Flint Hills Fury derby skater, Kristan Dean, crouches as she speeds across the rink at the roller derby practice. The team trained for several hours on Tuesday night. Jennifer Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Known as the Flint Hills Fury, Emporia’s first ever women’s roller derby league is currently recruiting for all positions, including skaters and referees. The Fury hit Emporia this summer when Victoria Partridge, president and co-founder of the league, started a Facebook page in June. The response was more than she had ever imagined.

“(It) has truly been overwhelming and awesome,” said Kari Crump, co-owner of Studio 11 and team manager. “There are people coming out everywhere wanting to skate and help… it’s an alternative to traditional sporting events that people go to.”

Although she cannot skate due to previous injury, Crump said she enjoys being involved in the group and being referred to as “Captain Mamma.”

Roller Derby was first seen in Chicago in the 1930s, and over time these sporting events eventually began televising in the 1940s. After only twenty years the sport included hundreds of teams competing and traveling all over the country. Participants must be at least 18 years old, according to the Fury’s website.

“What I love about roller derby is it has a place for everybody,” Partridge said. “There’s this ultimate sense of camaraderie.”

After two months of preparation and advertising, the league held their first practice at on Aug. 18, at Rollers Skating Rink, located at 701 Graham Street. Currently, 40 women are signed up and around 30 are in attendance at each practice.

“I’m finding that it’s a real sisterhood,” said Michele Boyce, co-owner of Studio 11 and skater. “I’m really loving the two hours of hard skate time with girls that I know and don’t know and am getting to know.”

Along with members, Flint Hills Fury is also quickly gaining sponsors. Crump and Boyce at Studio 11 help sponsor the league, along with Black Heart’s House of Art, Wrecked Skates, Java Cat-5 and Wagoner Photography.

Studio 11 sells merchandise for the team such as T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and their own creation, Gemwitches, which are made out of recycled glass and magazines and feature the Flint Hills Fury logo. The store then contributes some of their profit to help with costs for the league.

“I would like to see this league become self-sustaining,” Partridge said. “After I step down from this role I would like to see the league continue on.”

The league’s first bouts, or games, will begin in April. Partridge said the league will have two teams under it – one home team as well as an away team that will travel and consist of stronger skaters. For now, all skaters are practicing together and teams will be formed in the coming months, Partridge said.

“We are still taking skaters and refs and coaches and anyone who wants to help out with the league in any way, shape or form,” Partridge said. “We’re one big, giant, roller derby, happy family.”

Those who would like to become a part of the league can find more info at www.flinthillsfury.com, or by visiting the league’s Facebook page.

Brooke Schultz

***

Practices

Time: 6:45-8:45 p.m.

Date: Tuesday and Thursday evenings

Place: Rollers Skating Rink, 701 Graham St.

What you need to skate at practice:

- helmet

- wrist guards

- elbow guards

- knee guards

- mouth guard

- proof of insurance

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SHANE WILSON

You know the economy isn’t doing so hot when sports are affected. Teams nowadays have to seriously cut down on spending, and some athletic departments have to shut down entire sports programs all together.

And to think, most people believe that athletic departments fund themselves.

In a few rare circumstances, some sports departments are able to fully fund themselves without the help of central administrations. For all of the other schools in the country, the opposite is the case.

The economy might not be entirely to blame in this instance. For example, the National Collegiate Athletic Association came out with a report in 2009 stating that average athletics spending increased 43 percent between 2004 and 2008, but average revenue only increased 33 percent over the same time period. The NCAA also reported in 2005 that between 2001 and 2003, athletics spending increased almost four times faster than regular institution spending.

The facts are simple. Athletics departments around the country are spending entirely too much to be sustainable. Spending in terms of salaries is also included in the argument.

Presidents of major universities agree.

According to an October 2009 Knight Commission report, when asked about salaries across Football Bowl Series institutions nationally, an overwhelming majority (85%) of FBS presidents indicate they feel compensation is excessive for football and basketball coaches.

In addition, less than a quarter of presidents believe intercollegiate athletics are sustainable in their current form at FBS institutions nationally.

These findings make the situation seem direr than ever. Athletic directors have been facing these sorts of problems for years. Now that a majority of FBS school presidents believe that a different, more practical approach is necessary for future stability, eyes are beginning to open to the severity of the situation.

So how is Emporia State affected by all of this? They’re no FBS school, that’s for sure.

ESU is just as susceptible to a declining economy as the larger schools are – maybe even more so. At an institution that receives far less financial support to the likes of KU or Ohio State (where over 30 different sports are offered to student-athletes), a rough stretch in the market can spell disaster. Without private donations and fiscal aid from central administration, the program would be in dire straights.

So yes, even sports can be affected by a poor economy. More so than I’m sure you originally thought. But unless the departments themselves take active steps in reducing the amount they spend, it might not be the economy that takes them down.

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SHANE WILSON

They did it.

The Emporia State women’s basketball team, in epic fashion, took home the crown jewel of the nation – the National Championship trophy.

I’ve said it in the past, believing myself for the most part, but it turned out to be true. This team had the potential to do extraordinary things, and they did just that last Friday night in St. Joseph, Mo.

Big time players come up with big time plays late into March, and that certainly was the case for this Emporia State team over the course of the six-game 2010 postseason. Brittney Miller, Cassondra Boston and Alli Volkens all made the Elite Eight All-Tournament team, with Volkens capturing the MVP award.

Each player contributed something special to ESU’s magical run to the National Championship. Miller provided excellent on-ball defense and, with her ability to create around the basket, allowed her team to score in more ways than usual. Boston, the natural leader of the team, was nearly lethal when driving to the hoop – something those who have followed her throughout her tenure as a Hornet will surely miss. Boston’s efforts throughout the season earned her several All-American selections from various outlets across the country.

Volkens was on an entirely different level. She was in the zone. She was a forced to be reckoned with on the low block. After looking at her stat sheet (and the MVP award), it’s hard to argue that even her presence in the paint changed the course of the game.

Volkens was unreal.

Needless to say, these three women couldn’t have done the job alone. A truly gifted supporting cast stepped up and made big plays when they needed to in every facet.

For instance, Rachel Hanf’s three consecutive three-pointers all but sealed the deal for the Hornets on their way to defeating Ft. Lewis in the final game of the season. While Boston was forced to sit on the bench due to foul trouble, Lacy Corker provided steady production and reliability at the point. Even Jocelyn Cummings, who had seen sparse minutes throughout the season, came off the bench and provided a spark for the Hornets when they needed it in both the quarters and the semis.

It should also go without saying that the key players and the supporting cast couldn’t have gone as far as they did without leadership and a great game plan from the head coach. In the Elite Eight, Brandon Schneider coached three masterpieces in a row – always knowing when to substitute, who to substitute, who to call on for a big play. It was evident that Schneider’s experience and preparation with this team paid off in a big way.

The Emporia State faithful even played a significant role in the domination of Ft. Lewis. The Civic Arena in St. Joseph was packed with ESU students, faculty, alumni and just plain fans of the game to see the Hornets win.

The place was so loud due to the fans’ chants and cheers, rants and raves that I think both teams got the message: Emporia State isn’t leaving Missouri without a championship.

I think we know how the rest goes.

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The Emporia State women’s basketball team fell short of capturing the #1 seed for the upcoming MIAA Tournament as they fell to rival Washburn 63-51

Shooting was a major concern for the Hornets – ESU only shot 28.8 percent from the field.

“We just didn’t hit shots when we needed to,” said senior guard Cassondra Boston. “Obviously we didn’t shoot very well tonight. Usually we do shoot pretty well here. Tonight that wasn’t the case.”

ESU Coach Brandon Schneider concurred.

“We just didn’t make enough baskets and finish enough plays in the first half to take advantage of their foul situation,” Schneider said.

The Ichabods started off hot, jumping out to an early 11-4 lead with just over 16 minutes to play in the first half. The first media timeout of the half stopped the action with the score still the same with 14:38 to play.

Emporia State’s scoring drought was finally ended after the media timeout by a drive to the basket by Boston.

The Hornets closed to within three of Washburn’s lead, 8-11, with just over 11 minutes in the half thanks to a banked jump shot from senior guard Sophia Lenard. After an easy bucket from Washburn’s Dayna Rodriguez, senior guard Jamie Augustyn answered with a three-pointer, bringing the score to 11-13 in favor of the Ichabods.

Following a timeout on the floor, sophomore guard Brittney Miller tied the game at 13 with a layup. The teams were neck and neck at 15-all until a Washburn three-pointer gave the Ichabods a three point lead.

With under two minutes to play in the first half, the Hornets trailed the Ichabods 15-20. Another Washburn three ball gave the Ichabods an eight point advantage over the Hornets with 1:22 remaining in the first half.

The Hornets went into the locker room at the half trailing Washburn 21-25.

Washburn started out the second half much like they did the first with an 8-3 run that set the score at 24-33 in favor of Washburn. The first timeout on the floor of the half paused the action with the Hornets still trailing the Ichabods, 26-35, with 14:24 to play in the contest.

The Hornets, however, would not go away easily, as an offensive surge in the paint led by junior forward Alli Volkens brought ESU within one point of Washburn’s lead, 34-35, before the Ichabods called a timeout with 11:22 left to play.

Schneider called timeout at the 8:19 mark when the Ichabods’ lead stretched to six at 37-43 to regroup the shaky Hornets.

The final timeout on the floor saw ESU trailing Washburn 41-50 with 4:23 left to play in the contest.

Thanks to two quick baskets, the Hornets cut Washburn’s lead to five, 45-50, before WU called timeout with 2:40 left. Following the timeout, the Ichabods went on a 9-0 tear to pull away from the Hornets.

The Hornets eventually fell to Washburn, 51-63.

Volkens said that the team’s focus was probably on games in the future.

“We might have looked ahead a little bit too far,” Volkens said. “Our motto is ‘take it one day at a time’…we didn’t do that.”

Boston led the Hornets in scoring with 13, followed by Lenard with 11 and Volkens with 10 points.

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Senior guard Lamar Wilbern races against a Washburn defender Wednesday night at White Auditorium. Wilbern scored 21 points helping the Hornets beat the Ichabods 71-62.

It was do or die time for the Hornets of Emporia State – thanks to senior guard Lamar Wilbern’s 21 points, the Hornets outlasted the Washburn Ichabods in overtime, 71-62

ESU Coach David Moe was pleased with his team’s performance.

“In the end I thought it was a great win for us,” Moe said.

The Ichabods lit up the scoreboard first with a traditional three point play, which was quickly followed by a three-pointer from senior guard Jeremiah Box. A timeout on the floor stopped the action with the Hornets leading WU 9-5 with 14:55 left to play in the first half.

Washburn battled back to tie the game at 9-all until a fade away jumper from Wilbern separated the teams by two points, 11-9. Another media timeout saw the Hornets trailing the Ichabods 11-13 with 9:38 to play in the half.

With the Hornets trailing WU by five, Wilbern stepped up and hit a big time three-pointer to bring Emporia State within two, 16-18 with just under four minutes to play in the half.

A Washburn timeout stopped the game with 17.2 seconds remaining in the half. The Hornets trailed the Ichabods by four, 21-25, heading into the locker room at halftime.

Box scored first for the Hornets to start the second half on a layup down the middle of the lane.

After a small run by Washburn, Emporia State started hitting shots that cut the lead to one at 28-29 – Washburn Coach Bob Chipman called timeout with 16:12 left to play in the contest.

The Hornets took the lead, 35-34, at the 11:21 mark courtesy of a trey from Wilbern. A media timeout stopped the game with Emporia State trailing WU 35-36 with 9:57 remaining in the contest.

With the game tied at 37-all, senior guard Dustin Andrews took a pivotal charge with just under nine minutes to play, giving the Hornets the opportunity to take possession. Senior guard Tim Niles hit a three-pointer to give the Hornets a three point lead, 40-37, before Moe called a timeout. The final media timeout saw the Hornets with a 46-44 edge over the Ichabods with 3:22 left to play in the second half.

A charging violation against Washburn led to a WU timeout by a frustrated Chipman, with the Hornets leading 48-46 with 1:44 remaining. After the timeout, junior forward Adam Holthaus hit a shot in the paint, which was followed by a Washburn three-pointer, setting the score at 50-49 in favor of ESU with under one minute to play.

With the game tied at 52, Washburn took possession with 15.6 seconds left in the game, which led to a missed shot by forward De’Andre Washington. The missed shot sent the game to overtime with the score tied at 52.

After winning the possession on the jump ball, Wilbern stepped up immediately and hit a three-pointer, giving the Hornets a three point advantage, 55-52. Wilbern followed his trey with two made free throws, padding the Hornets lead to five. Following one made free throw from Washburn,

Wilbern struck yet again, this time on a slashing move to the basket. Moe took a 30 second timeout with 3:03 remaining in the extra period with Hornets leading 61-55.

With under one minute remaining, the Hornets led the Ichabods 65-60. In the end, Emporia State walked away with a decisive victory over the Ichabods, 71-62.

Wilbern made a concerted effort to step up his game for the extra period.

“I just wanted to be aggressive in overtime,” Wilbern said. “It worked out for me.”

For Andrews, the game was a special experience.

“It’s a rivalry game,” Andrews said. “It’s always going to come down to the wire. It was a great game. It was fun to play in. It was just a great thing to be apart of.”

Holthaus scored 15 points for the Hornets, and Niles and junior guard Matt Boswell scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Hornets finish out the regular season on the road against Ft. Hays State. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Hays.

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