It seems the Emporia State Lady Hornets are starting to learn their lessons well.
After a loss last week to Metro State, ESU coach Brandon Schnei-der questioned his team’s defensive energy and intensity.
There was nothing to question on Saturday night. ESU forced 28 turnovers — 19 of which were steals — and shut down Fort Hays State’s offense in an 89-58 blowout victory.
In the process, the Lady Hornets handed the Lady Tigers their first loss of the season.
“If you don’t respond from losing, then you’re probably a loser,” Schneider said. “I’d like to think we have better character than that. I also would like to think we’re going to keep those lessons at the forefront of our mind.”
The ESU women did that on Saturday, playing their most complete game of the season against arguably their toughest opponent.
The Lady Hornets stayed focused throughout most of the game, with some help from a season-high crowd of 2,876 people that attended the conference opener.
“The competitive level charges up a notch when you’re in the MIAA,” ESU forward Casey Henningsen said, “so it was fun coming in here and starting the season off right.”
ESU took control midway through the first half.
After leading 19-17, the Lady Hornets reeled off 11 straight points, capped by a pair of jumpshots from Henningsen. FHSU failed to score for a 4 1/2-minute stretch.
“We’ve got to make sure that our foundation is on the defensive end,” Schneider said.
The Lady Hornets came out hot offensively after intermission. ESU scored the first eight points of the half, with Michelle Stueve contributing a pair of baseline jumpers during the stretch to make it 46-25.
The rout was on from there. The Lady Hornets put together 7-0 and 13-0 spurts later in the half, leading by as many as 41 points.
The final score could have actually been worse. ESU allowed 13 points in the final 3 1/2 minutes after Schneider emptied his bench.
“I thought it was pretty good tonight for about 37 minutes,” Schneider said. “Obviously, I’m not pleased with giving up 12 to 15 points in the final three minutes. Regardless of who we have in the game, we’d like to see them be just as committed and play with just as much energy and passion.”
ESU scored 51 points in the second half, getting help this time from reserve guard Andrea Leiker.
The 5-foot-6 sophomore drained 4-of-5 three-point attempts in the second half, finishing with a career-high 17 points. She made 6-for-7 shots from the field in the game and also 5 of 6 from beyond the arc.
“I kind of went on a roll,” Leiker said. “I was open, so I was going to shoot it.”
The Lady Hornets also received a complete performance from Henningsen. The 6-1 senior posted 20 points, nine rebounds and an impressive six steals from the forward position. She finished 6 of 8 from the floor and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line, with all her work coming in 23 minutes.
Henningsen has 10 steals in her last two games played.
Stueve added 15 points for ESU. The Lady Hornets finished 9 of 18 from the three-point line.
Ashlee Gustin led FHSU with 14 points.
The Lady Tigers started off their first MIAA season with a disappointing loss after reeling off seven straight victories to start the season.
ESU (7-1) will take a week off before facing the defending national champion and No. 3-ranked Grand Valley State on Dec. 18 in Highland Heights, Ky.