Kansas City, MO - Emporia State rallied from thirteen down to cut the deficit to two with 44 seconds left, but could not complete the comeback in a 74-71 loss to #19 Ft. Hays State in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City.
The second-seeded Tigers will face top-seeded Missouri Southern in Sunday's 1pm championship game.
In a grueling contest, the first half produced five ties and eleven lead changes with neither team leading by more than four.
The second half started the same way, with three ties and six lead changes in the first 5:20 despite the Tigers hitting nine of 12 shots in that time.
With the game tied at 42 with 14:40 left, FHSU separated themselves with an 8-2 run to go up 50-44 with 10:30 remaining. The lead would grow to 13 points at 62-49 with 4:13 left on Ben Conguista's three pointer.
ESU’s final 16-5 run ended on Robert Moores’ jumper with 44 seconds left.
FHSU would hit seven of eight free throws over the final 38.9 to seal the win.
ESU was led by Xavier Burnette with 21 points. He was joined in double figures by Robert Moores with 19, Michael Tyler with 14 and Adam Holthaus with ten points.
The Hornets end the season 16-14 overall after advancing to the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament for the second straight year and four of the last six seasons.
