Hornets look to rebound from 1st loss, take on Fort Hays State
By Jesse Newell
Friday, January 26, 2007
Donta Watson knows that it’s gut-check time for the Emporia State men’s basketball team.
After losing to No. 19 Northwest Missouri State, 89-72, on Wednesday, the Hornets should find out a whole lot about themselves after Saturday’s road game at Fort Hays State.
“It’s not about when you lose,” Watson said, “it’s about how you respond after you lose.”
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m from Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.
ESU (16-1, 7-1) will face the adversity of coming off a loss for the first time since falling 90-55 in the exhibition season to Kansas. That was way back on Nov. 7, and even then it wasn’t a defeat that counted in the standings.
“This,” ESU guard DeAndre Townsend said, “is just a minor setback for us.”
The schedule once again will become unkind for ESU over the next two weeks. The Hornets will be on the road four of the next five games, with a rematch against Northwest looming on Wednesday of next week.
Before then, though, ESU must go against an upstart Fort Hays State team breathing new life after an improbable comeback against Pittsburg State on Monday.
The Tigers trailed 75-66 with 2:41 remaining before scoring the final 11 points in a 77-75 victory in Pittsburg. Kevin Wagstaff had the game-winning shot, scoring two points on a goal-tended lay-in with 1 second remaining.
FHSU is led by 6-foot-10 forward Jeff Pruitt, who averages 13.6 points per game. Wagstaff, a 5-11 guard, comes in right behind at 10.2 points per game.
Washington State transfer Anthony Grant has been the Tigers’ best offensive player in conference season, posting 13.1 points in eight MIAA contests.
On the women’s side, ESU will look to build on its 89-66 victory over Northwest on Wednesday.
The Lady Hornets played perhaps their best offensive half of the season against the Bearcats, posting 56 points in the second half to build a significant lead.
“We worked the ball a lot better on offense,” ESU forward Casey Henningsen said, “and did what we practiced a lot more.”
Though FHSU comes in struggling — having won only one of its last six games — ESU coach Brandon Schneider said his players should be prepared for a battle.
“We often remind our players how difficult it is to play in Hays,” Schneider said. “We really need to come back well and focus.”
Forward Ashlee Gustin leads FHSU with a 16.2 point-per-game average.
ESU, meanwhile, is paced by Michelle Stueve, who is third in the conference at 17.7 points per game. The All-American was efficient against Northwest, making 5 of 7 shots to finish with 17 points.
Schneider said his team still had plenty of room for improvement.
“I don’t think we’re anywhere close to playing our best basketball,” Schneider said. “I think we’re a good team right now, but we’re a long ways away from being much better than that.”