Emporia State guard DeAndre Townsend learned two things as he walked off the court with just under three minutes remaining in Saturday’s game with Fort Hays State: His team could play with the big boys in the MIAA conference, and ESU coach David Moe couldn’t hang with the little guys in chest-bumping.
“It’ll get better throughout the season,” Townsend said of the pair’s chest-bump, which occurred on the sideline just before the end of the game, “but it was pretty good.”
No need to worry. The 5-foot-8 Townsend said there was plenty of time for the coach to work on his celebration technique, especially if ESU continues to play the way it did in an 86-71 victory over No. 15 FHSU in the MIAA opener.
“I think everyone was just excited,” ESU guard Wes Book said. “Sometimes we celebrate a little bit too much, but at the same time, we’re just playing with a lot of passion out there.”
The victory kept the Hornets’ perfect record intact at 8-0 and also gave them some instant respect in the MIAA. FHSU was picked No. 2 in the conference in the preseason, while ESU was projected ninth out of 10 teams.
The win also might help propel the Hornets to a spot in the NABC Top 25 poll. ESU received votes last week, and that was before the team defeated a top-15 program.
“It was definitely a statement game,” Townsend said.
ESU looked confident from the start against the previously 6-1 Tigers.
Guard Donta Watson hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first two minutes, helping ESU to an 8-5 advantage.
FHSU used a 7-0 run to take the lead, but ESU responded. Off a steal, Andrew Davison put down a layup and free throw, and Ed Desir followed with a tip-in and free throw to build a 26-21 advantage.
The Hornets took a 40-36 lead into break before Townsend took over the opening minutes of the second half.
“I just wanted to come out against a team in our conference,” Townsend said, “and show them what I can do.”
The guard hit a pair of free throws to open the half, then, after two Jordan Fithian foul shots, Townsend made a quick move on the baseline for another two that forced an FHSU timeout.
Townsend wasn’t done. On the next possession, he hung in the lane and connected on a difficult leaning shot that was closely-guarded. Watson added a 3-pointer from the right side, then Townsend added his own, draining a three over a defender and yelling to the crowd as ESU’s 14-2 run to start the half made it 54-38.
The large lead was short-lived, as FHSU cut the deficit back to 58-51 with 11:51 to play.
“When they cut it down to 7,” Book said, “we knew we had to make a run back.”
The junior guard from Emporia made sure it happened. He scored eight points in a 2 1/2-minute span, helping the Hornets on an 11-0 run that pushed the lead back to 19 with 8 minutes to play.
The deficit never dipped under 15 after that.
With his team up by 20 at the 2:56 mark, Moe substituted in his reserves, taking both Townsend and Andrew Davison out of the game. It was then the coach surprised the two, letting each of the two knock chests with him once on the sideline.
“They came up on me. I’m not really into that stuff,” Moe said. “But it was a big win for us. There’s still a lot of season left, but it feels good to have success with guys that deserve success.”
Book and Townsend led ESU with 20 points apiece. Book added 10 rebounds for his first-ever double-double.
Watson contributed 19 points, while Davison had 10.
ESU will take a week off before playing host to Bethany on Saturday.
“The win allows us to have a little confidence through the break,” Moe said. “We were 0-1 last year at this time and questioned a lot of things. Right now, we’re feeling good.”
The Hornets will have 17 more conference games, starting with Dec. 30’s matchup with Southwest Baptist.
“This one is worth celebrating,” Book said, “but we’ve still got work to do.”