Lacy Corker and the rest of the Emporia State Lady Hornets know exactly what Missouri Southern will bring to White Auditorium on Wednesday.
Now, the question is whether the team will be ready for the push-you-around, knock-you-over Lions.
“We’re lifting weights today,” Corker said with a smile, “so I’m hoping that will make us stronger for the game.”
Bust out the biceps and the boxing gloves.
After getting manhandled by Southern in a 90-71 loss on Jan. 23 — ESU’s worst loss in three years — the Lady Hornets are determined to do something they didn’t do then: fight back.
“I’m actually excited, because I didn’t do much last time. I didn’t have a lot of chance to do much,” ESU forward Allie Renberg said. “I’m ready to show them that I can be physical.”
In the first matchup, imposing forwards Tynesha Pierce and Fatai Hala’Api’Api set the tone, combining for 35 points and 14 rebounds while playing the part of bullies inside.
It was a quick education for many of ESU’s newcomers.
“(Pierce) just took it into me, and I was like, ‘OK. That’s how it’s going to be,’” Renberg said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t realize it was like that.”
The Lions dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Lady Hornets 46-24. Coming into the contest, ESU was easily the top rebounding team in the conference.
ESU received little production from its forwards, as Ida Edwards, Alli Volkens and Renberg combined for just 12 points and six rebounds.
“We just need to come out strong,” Corker said. “Our team is a strong team. Obviously, we didn’t come out strong that game.”
Slashing guard India Wood also had a solid first game, posting 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting while consistently blowing by ESU’s first defender.
ESU, meanwhile, enters the game as hot as it’s been all season. The Lady Hornets have won five straight to keep themselves in a tie for first place in the MIAA.
Their last defeat came against Southern.
“Coach (Brandon Schneider) said they kind of embarrassed us,” Renberg said, “so we’re ready to take it at them this time and show them what we’ve got.”
Hornet men look to avenge loss
If Marvin Lee were the coach at Missouri Southern, he says he would probably full-court press the Emporia State men.
Especially after the Hornets’ poor performance in an 85-66 loss earlier this season to the Lions.
“I’m pretty sure they’re looking at the tape like, ‘These guys, they fold under pressure.’ That’s probably what they’re thinking,” the ESU guard said. “They’re probably going to try to do it again and come even harder.”
In their second-worst loss of the season, the Hornets couldn’t handle Southern’s pressing defense, turning the ball over 26 times.
Lee said the Hornets should be more prepared for the defense this time.
“We know we’re going to get pressed. They’re probably going to do it more often since we turned the ball over a lot last time,” Lee said. “Just knowing what to look for, we can adjust better to it.”
The Hornets will look to snap a two-game losing streak that was started with their controversial double-overtime loss to Northwest Missouri State last Thursday.