ESU men upset No. 12 Missouri Southern
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 08:49 p.m., January 7, 2009
Updated 11:37 p.m., January 7, 2009
Final
Lamar Wilbern scored 17 points — including 13 in the second half — and Emporia State overcame a two-point halftime deficit to beat Missouri Southern 71-66 on Wednesday at White Auditorium.
The Hornets took the lead for the final time on a Matt Boswell basket with 11:49 left, and they made eight free throws down the stretch to hold on.
Jeremiah Box made the last four free throws for the Hornets and finished with 14 points, four assists and five steals. Boswell scored a season-high eight points, filling in for much of the second half for junior guard Robert Moores, who left the game with a back injury.
Emporia State improved to 5-2 in the MIAA with the win. The Hornets are tied with Washburn for second place in league, and Central Missouri and Missouri Southern both trail by a 1/2-game at 4-2.
Southwest Baptist lost its first game of the season at Washburn on Wednesday, but the Bearcats still lead the conference at 5-1.
For complete coverage of Wednesday’s game, check Thursday’s Gazette.
Half
Missouri Southern’s Mariun Price had a layup at the buzzer to end the first half and give the Lions a 34-32 lead at halftime.
There have been five lead changes with Emporia State and five ties.
Shang Ping leads the Hornets with eight points and Jeremiah Box and Dustin Andrews both have five apiece.