Lady Hornets playing better on defensive end
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 01:57 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 01:57 p.m., February 19, 2008
Emporia State’s defense was already good, but coach Brandon Schneider knows that it’s gotten even better over the course of the last few games.
The coach was especially pleased with his team’s post defense against Central Missouri on Saturday. Ida Edwards and Allie Renberg held Central forward Jojuana Jones to seven points on 3-of-14 shooting.
“I thought both of them were terrific on Jones defensively and really made her take challenged shots,” Schneider said. “I was really down on (the post players) for a long time. I think they took a big step on Wednesday (against Southern).
“When you play Southern’s bigs, it’s going to test your mettle and you’re going to find out what you’re about.”
With a more attacking style on defense, ESU also was able to make both Central Missouri and Missouri Southern uncomfortable in their offensive sets.
The aggressiveness has shown up in the statistics. After averaging seven steals per game over its first 18 games, ESU has swiped 9.6 steals per game in its last five outings.
The Lady Hornets also have benefited from a recent offensive run by Michelle Stueve.
The senior has scored at least 22 points in each of her last five games, and broke out for 27 points and 16 rebounds on Saturday against Central.
In that game, Stueve scored 14 straight ESU points during a 2-minute, 40-second stretch late in the second half.
“It’s not that I needed to force shots, but I thought I kind of passed up a few early,” Stueve said, “so I knew when I went back in, I needed to be aggressive.”
Stueve finished 9-of-12 from the field and was a perfect 6-for-6 in the second half.
ESU will attempt to extend its seven-game winning streak on Wednesday when it travels to take on Pittsburg State. The Gorillas are 7-4 at home this year and have won their last two at Lance Arena.
Guard Brianna Buchanan leads PSU, averaging 14.4 points per game.
Hornets hope to be healthy
Not all is lost for the Emporia State men’s basketball team, even after all the unfortunate events during the team’s four-game losing streak.
“We always think positive,” ESU guard Marvin Lee said.
The good news is, that optimism should pay off for the Hornets quickly.
ESU is as close to full strength as it has been in a month. Senior guard Wes Book returned to the lineup last game after suffering a foot injury on Jan. 19 against Central Missouri.
Though Book looked fully healed, he admitted it might take a while to get back into the flow of the game.
“Everyone saw. I was pretty bad,” Book said after a 2-for-12 shooting effort. “It was hard to get back out there.”
On Saturday, ESU had to play without the conference’s leading scorer and assist man DeAndre Townsend, who was out with the flu.
The Hornets struggled without him, shooting just 28 percent in a 71-52 loss to Central Missouri. It was the Hornets’ worst offensive showing since 2000.
“It was extremely hard,” Book said. “(DeAndre)’s the heart and soul of this team.”
If Townsend is able to return on Wednesday, ESU hopes it will be able to get some positive momentum rolling before the MIAA Tournament.
The Gorillas will be ESU’s next test, coming in off a 67-46 loss to Northwest Missouri State on Saturday.
PSU is led by 6-foot-7 forward Cory Abercrombie, who averages 18.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
The Gorillas won the teams’ first matchup, 72-63, on Jan. 12 at White Auditorium.