West Texas A&M ends Emporia State's season
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 09:09 p.m., March 14, 2009
Updated 11:45 p.m., March 14, 2009
Final
Emporia State nearly pulled off the most unlikely of comebacks on Saturday night at West Texas A&M. Lacy Corker’s 3-pointer to tie the game in the final seconds missed, and West Texas A&M won 86-83, ending Emporia State’s season in the Regional semifinals.
Emporia State made its comeback without MIAA player of the year Ida Edwards. Edwards hurt her left knee driving to the basket with 14 minutes, 21 seconds left, and she never returned to the game.
The Lady Hornets trailed by nine points with 1 minutes, 24 seconds left and rallied to cut the lead to one after Jamie Augustyn made a 3-pointer with nine seconds left.
West Texas A&M’s Jamie Dreiling made two free throws with 8.4 seconds left, and the Lady Hornets had their first chance to tie the game of the second half. Augustyn tried to get up a shot but was double-teamed, and found Corker open on the wing. Corker’s shot missed long and Allie Renberg grabbed the rebound, but the clock ran out before ESU could get another shot.
Edwards was on crutches after the game and spent much of the second half in the locker room. She finished with eight points and six rounds in only 15 minutes.
ESU senior guard Andrea Leiker scored 22 points, and Sophia Lenard added 15 points. Dreiling led the Lady Buffs with 23 points and she made 16-of-25 free throws. The Lady Buffs made 35-of-53 free throws, but they did make their final six.
For complete coverage of Saturday’s game, check Monday’s Gazette.
Half
CANYON, TEXAS — Emporia State trails West Texas A&M 40-34 at half of the South Central Regional semifinals.
Andrea Leiker has 12 points and Sophia Lenard has 10 to lead ESU.
The Lady Hornets struggled with turnovers early in the game and have nine turnovers at half, compared to just three for the Lady Buffs.
Foul trouble also hurt Emporia State in the first half. Ida Edwards picked up her second foul at the 11:17 mark and only played nine minutes. Edwards’ backup Brittney Miller has three fouls in only eight minutes.
With Edwards out, Emporia State struggled rebounding the ball and the Lady Buffs are outrebounding ESU 23-20.
Joni Unruh leads West Texas A&M with 11 points.