Late Push Lifts Hornets Past Truman, 65-60

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Site: Kirksville, Mo. (Pershing Arena)
Score: Emporia State 65, Truman 60
Records: Truman (5-9, 2-4 MIAA), Emporia State (6-7, 1-4 MIAA)
Next Truman Event: Wednesday, January 16 – at Washburn (Topeka, Kan.; 7:30 pm)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - For the second time in three days, the Truman men's basketball team came up just short in a home effort, falling 65-60 to visiting Emporia (Kan.) State on Saturday afternoon in Pershing Arena.

Junior Mike Carlson (Superior, Wis., Marshall) scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, handed out four assists and swatted a pair of shots to lead Truman (5-9, 2-4 MIAA), but a pair of key scoring droughts plagued the 'Dogs in the final minutes of the second half to quell their comeback effort.

The Bulldogs and Hornets (6-7, 1-4 MIAA) were tied 52-52 with 9:27 to play after freshman Cory Myers (Ankeny, Iowa, Ankeny) sank a pair of free throws. However, Truman then went more than four minutes without a score before a Carlson lay-up pulled the 'Dogs back to within two at 56-54. After ESU built the lead to five at 59-54 with 4:35 on the clock, the teams traded buckets to 61-58 ESU with 2:10 to play.

After a Cory Myers turnover following a Tom Norton (Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic) blocked shot on a Hornet triple try, the Hornets got two offensive rebounds and a put-back tip-in by Paul Bunch with 24 seconds left to go ahead 63-58. Another Cory Myers turnover forced the Bulldogs to foul, and the Hornets hit both to move ahead by seven with 17.7 to play. Cory Myers hit two free throws, but that would be the final scoring of the night for either side, as the Hornets escaped Pershing Arena with a five-point victory.

Carlson's 16 led the Bulldogs offensively, while junior guard Isaac Gardner (Washington, Iowa, Washington) hit four second-half triples off the bench to finish with 12 points. Cory Myers scored all 11 of his points in the second half and added four assists, while Norton poured in nine points and freshman Jaylon Jones (Katy, Texas, Seven Lakes) added eight. Freshman Cole Myers (Ankeny, Iowa, Ankeny) did not score but led the 'Dogs with five assists and added five rebounds.

Truman shot 47% from the floor for the game, including 7-of-16 (44%) from three-point range and 13-of-19 (68%) from the foul line. ESU countered with a 25-for-52 (48%) mark overall and hit a dozen triples. The Bulldogs out-rebounded ESU 30-27 but committed 18 turnovers that turned into 23 Hornet points.

Chris Sights led ESU with 17 points and four assists, while Kaleb Wright chipped in15 points and grabbed four rebounds.

The Bulldogs head to No. 13 Washburn on Wednesday (Jan. 16) night for a 7:30 pm tipoff in Topeka, Kansas' Lee Arena.

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