Wes Book says he’s soaring a little higher now. It’s probably because there’s less of him to keep him toward the ground.
“I lost a little weight from last year,” Book said with a grin, “so I’m jumping a lot higher this year than I was last year.”
The difference was evident on Saturday night.
With only one 10-rebound game in his career, Book took over the glass on Saturday, pulling down 15 rebounds to go with 26 points as No. 18 Emporia State defeated Southwest Baptist, 93-84, at White Auditorium.
The victory moved the Hornets to a perfect 11-0 on the season, one win away from the best start in school history. ESU also moved to 2-0 in the MIAA with its triumph over last year’s conference champion.
“It’s just the beginning,” ESU guard DeAndre Townsend said. “We’ve still got a lot of heads to turn.”
Book’s performance was part of a team-wide dominance on the glass for ESU.
The Hornets out-rebounded the Bearcats, 52-32, despite coming in with a smaller team. Ed Desir added 14 boards and Jordan Fithian had seven.
“That was probably the best rebounding job we’ve done,” ESU coach David Moe said, “since I’ve been around in this league.”
ESU played perhaps its best basketball of the season in the first 30 minutes, taking a 47-36 halftime lead and extending that advantage to 68-48 with a 7-0 run. The stretch included a 3-pointer from the deep corner from Andrew Davison — one where Moe threw his arms up in celebration even before Davison shot the ball.
After a Davison free throw on the next possession, ESU held a 20-point cushion with just 10:13 remaining.
The Hornets spent the rest of the time almost giving it away.
With a pair of threes, SBU put together a quick 8-0 run to cut the lead to 12. Things started to get ugly from there, as ESU became increasingly bothered by a frantic Bearcat press.
The Hornets turned it over four times in a span of 1:20, with one coming when Townsend threw a no-look pass in the backcourt to Davison — with Davison never looking for it. The ball rolled harmlessly out of bounds, and one minute later Jason Jemison’s 15-foot jumper completed an 11-1 spurt as SBU made it 78-74 with 3:15 remaining.
“We kind of got loosey-goosey and got wild at the end,” Book said, “but thankfully we pulled it off.”
The Emporia High product Book was a major reason ESU held on.
After a pair of Townsend free throws, SBU’s Jim Grabowski and ESU’s Ed Desir traded baskets before Book put in the back-breaker.
With the shot clock winding down, Davison found Book in the corner for what was momentarily an open three.
“I was unguarded for awhile,” Book said, “so I was looking for it.”
Despite having a hand fly into in his face, Book still managed to hit the shot, giving ESU an 85-76 advantage with 1:53 to play.
Townsend made sure SBU didn’t come closer. He hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 1:08, and Davison added a pair of his own to never let the lead dip below seven.
“Down the stretch, as a leader,” Townsend said, “I know I’ve got to knock down free throws.”
Book finished 8-of-13 from the floor, posting game-highs with his 26 points and 15 rebounds. Townsend added 20, with Donta Watson contributing 14.
Grabowski paced SBU with 25 points.
ESU will travel for only its second road game of the year Wednesday, taking on Washburn at Lee Arena.