Michelle Stueve was happy to get a little help from her friends.
Though the All-American shot just seven times — which was tied for sixth-most on the team Wednesday — the Emporia State women thrived by having other players step up offensively in an 89-66 victory over Northwest Missouri State.
“It definitely takes a little pressure off,” Stueve said.
After going 4-of-16 in ESU’s 63-53 loss to No. 3 Missouri Western on Saturday — and taking nearly every shot down the stretch — Stueve’s teammates give her a break.
Andrea Leiker had 18 points and Casey Henningsen 13 as the Lady Hornets exploded for 56 points in the second half.
“We work really hard to play team defense, and I think our squad has bought into that,” ESU coach Brandon Schneider said. “We need to pay a little more attention to playing team offense.”
ESU did it on Wednesday, allowing Stueve to focus more on taking open shots rather than guarded ones.
The junior couldn’t argue with the results. She finished 5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-4 from three-point range and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line for 17 points to go along with five rebounds.
“I don’t think she really forced anything,” Schneider said. “Obviously, people are going to pay a lot of attention to her.”
The Lady Hornets started off well defensively, holding Northwest without a point in the first 5:45 to grab an 8-0 advantage.
NWMSU bounced back, gaining a 21-18 lead on a Katie O’Grady 3-pointer from the left side with 5:27 left in the half.
ESU had its share of offensive struggles in the first half, committing 10 turnovers and making just 8 of its first 26 shots (31 percent) before hitting 5 of its last 7 to take a 33-28 advantage into the break.
The second half turned out to be a completely different story for the Lady Hornets.
ESU made shots (17 of 31 for 55 percent) and also kept Northwest from getting out in transition by connecting on those attempts.
“Once we start hitting shots,” Henningsen said, “then it becomes contagious and everyone starts hitting shots.”
The Bearcats (11-7, 4-5 MIAA) trailed just 63-58 with 7:44 remaining before ESU put it away for good.
The Lady Hornets used a 10-0 run — sparked by six straight points from Henningsen — to take a 15-point lead.
Stueve helped seal it two minutes later. The junior hit back-to-back 3-pointers from the left side, helping in another 10-0 spurt that pushed the advantage to 84-62 with 1:41 left.
Leiker scored 12 of her career-high 18 points in the second half. She finished 2-of-3 from three-point range.
Henningsen completed her double-double with 11 boards to go along with her 13 points, while Genae Glasper added 11 points and six rebounds.
Reserve Mandi Schumacher paced NWMSU with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
ESU (13-4, 6-2) improved to 14-2 under Schneider in home games after a loss.
“It’s important to come out and play well, especially when we turn around and play (No. 2 Missouri) Western again real soon,” Henningsen said. “We need to get back on our feet and feel confident going into that game.”
The Lady Hornets have a tough test awaiting them on Saturday, traveling to play at always-difficult Hays against the Lady Tigers.
Schneider said his team still wasn’t close to where believed it could be.
“When we start playing better offensively and get more and more people to contribute,” Schneider said, “I think that’s when we’ll take real positive steps.”
ESU women 89, NORTHWEST MO. STATE 66
Northwest Missouri 28 38 — 66
No. 11 Emporia State 33 56 — 89
NORTHWEST MISSOURI (11-7, 4-5 MIAA)
Schumacher,Mandi 7-15 3-4 17; Williams,Lauren 5-11 4-4 15; Burton,Jessica 4-11 0-0 10; Brue,Meghan 1-8 5-8 7; Nelson,Kelli 2-11 2-2 7; O’Grady,Katie 2-9 0-0 6; Miller,April 1-3 0-0 2; Bayer,Lindsay 0-2 2-2 2; Baker,Ashley 0-1 0-2 0; Uriell,Micaela 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-72 16-22 66.
EMPORIA STATE (13-4, 6-2 MIAA)
Leiker,Andrea 5-8 6-6 18; Stueve,Michelle 5-7 4-4 17; Henningsen,Casey 5-8 3-4 13; Glasper,Genae 5-8 1-2 11; Dorsey,Carolyn 2-8 4-6 9; Stuart,Tegan 3-7 0-0 8; Boston,Cassondra 2-11 2-2 6; Svarova,Denisa 2-5 0-0 4; Augustyn,Jamie 1-1 1-2 3; Corker,Lacy 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-64 21-26 89.
3-point goals — Northwest Missouri 6-22 (O’Grady,Katie 2-6; Burton,Jessica 2-5; Nelson,Kelli 1-6; Williams,Lauren 1-2; Bayer,Lindsay 0-1; Brue,Meghan 0-2), Emporia State 8-15 (Stueve,Michelle 3-4; Leiker,Andrea 2-3; Stuart,Tegan 2-4; Dorsey,Carolyn 1-3; Boston,Cassondra 0-1). Fouled out — Northwest Missouri: Baker,Ashley, Emporia State:None. Rebounds — Northwest Missouri 38 (Schumacher,Mandi 12), Emporia State 51 (Henningsen,Casey 11). Assists — Northwest Missouri 13 (Nelson,Kelli 4), Emporia State 20 (Boston,Cassondra 8). Total fouls — Northwest Missouri 23, Emporia State 18. Att — 2875.