by March 24, 2015-The #9 Lady Hornets jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never trailed in a 62-50 win over #5 West Texas A&M at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, S.D. With the win Emporia State advances to the national semifinals against California (PA) on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
The Lady Hornets scored 27 seconds into the game on a put back by Kelsey Barnwell (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) and would hit their next four four shots from the field while forcing the Lady Buffs into misses on their first eight shots. A three-pointer from Addie Lackey put Emporia State up 11-0 with 16:09 left. West Texas finally got on the board with a three-pointer by Madison McClain with 15:20 remaining in the half. The Lady Hornets took their biggest lead of the half at 23-9 with 7:43 left and would still lead 29-15 with 3:46 left on a lay-up by Jacee Kramer. That would be the final score of the half for Emporia State as West Texas scored the final eight points of the half to pull within 29-23 at the break.
Emporia State scored the first three points of the second half to lead 32-23 with 19:36 left before West Texas went on a 7-2 run to close within 34-30 on an old-fashioned three point play by Sasha Watson. Kelly Moten socred on a pair of layups to push the lead back to eight before the Lady Buffs cut it back to four on a pair of free throws by Danielle Logan and a jumper by Ariel Robertson. The Lady Hornets then took control with a 9-0 run capped by a Kathryn Flott lay-up with 8:32 left. Flott’s bucket came at the end of a possession that ate 1:12 off the clock thanks to four offensive rebounds by Emporia State. West Texas would not get closer than eight points the rest of the game as Emporia State hit five of six free throws in the final 2:14 to ice the win.
The Lady Hornets, who lead the nation in field goal percentage defense, held the Lady Buffs, who lead the nation in field goal percentage to just 30.6% shooting from the field. The 50 points were the fewest scored by West Texas this year was just the second time below 60 points this year.
Quick led Emporia State with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. She was joined in double figures by Moten with 16 and Flott with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Lady Hornets will play #14 California (PA) on Wednesday in the national semifinals. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
NOTES
Emporia State is now 36-15 all-time in NCAA Tournament play and 7-4 in the Elite Eight.
The Lady Hornets have won four straight in the Elite Eight dating back to their 2010 National Championship.
Emporia State is now 8-2 against nationally ranked teams this season and 71-44 against ranked teams since 1997-98.
The Lady Hornets 25 turnovers are the third most in an NCAA Tournament game by Emporia State.
Kelly Moten went 5 for 5 from the field and is the third Lady Hornet to shoot 1.000 from the field with at least five attempts in an NCAA Tournament game.
Kathryn Flott’s 13 rebounds are tied for tenth in a single NCAA Tournament game by a Lady Hornet.
