Lady Hornets win in OT, headed to National Championship game
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 07:41 a.m., March 25, 2010
Updated 07:32 a.m., March 25, 2010
ST. JOSEPH, MO. — The Emporia State women will just not let this season end.
Down 18 in the second half, the Lady Hornets rallied to force overtime and Lacy Corker, who had not scored, drove and got fouled with 21.6 seconds left to put ESU ahead. With a 97-94 win over No. 1 and once undefeated Gannon, the Lady Hornets are going to the National Championship game where they will face Fort Lewis.
ESU used a 15-0 run late in the second half to cut into Gannon’s lead and Alli Volkens tied the game at 87 to force overtime.
Volkens played one minute and went scoreless in the first half because of two quick fouls, but she scored 20 points in the second half and overtime to continue her All-World performance in the postseason.
Cassondra Boston led ESU with 21 points, and Brittney Miller added 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The National Championship is on Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. For complete coverage of Wednesday’s game, check Thursday’s Gazette.
Half
Alli Volkens has played one minute, Emporia State has attempted 23 3-pointers and Cassondra Boston is 3-for-11 shooting the ball, but somehow ESU leads No. 1 Gannon 40-39 at half.
Without Volkens, who picked up two quick fouls, the Lady Hornets have depended heavily on their perimeter players. They got a big lift from freshman Rachel Hanf, who came off the bench to knock in two quick 3-pointers and has 10 points.
Boston has been forcing shots at every opportunity and leads ESU with 11 points.
Jamie Augustyn has nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. ESU is 9 of 23 from 3-point distance for the game.
The game has not had much rhythm with 24 fouls called. ESU has been whistled for 14 fouls, including a technical foul on coach Brandon Schneider.
Tiffany Crocker, who hit a layup at the buzzer, leads Gannon with 10 points. Gannon is shooting 50 percent from the field, but ESU has the lead by winning the turnover battle 13-4.
For full game coverage pick up Thursday's Gazette.
Maximus (anonymous) says...
Awesome game! Go Lady Hornets!
March 24, 2010 at 11:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The most exciting game since KU'S triple overtime loss to North Carolina in 1957.
March 24, 2010 at 11:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Hollywood is going to make a movie out of this team! Sting like a bee and float like a butterfly and Gannon didn't know what hit them. These gals are a real knockout.
March 24, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
There are very few coaches who can psychologically unsettle one's opponent when your 18 points down, but coach did it. Gamemanship is the art of winning without cheating.
March 25, 2010 at 12:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Once again our fabulous Lady Hornets were in full gear, playing better than ever before, a marvel of basketball and a matter of pride to every Emporia citizen.
March 25, 2010 at 12:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KellyL (anonymous) says...
So proud of our Lady Hornets! Way to go! I love that even 18 pts down they chipped away and forced their offense to turnover like none other all the way to a nailbiting win!! I'm on my way to watch the big game friday and cheer the ladies on to victory!
March 25, 2010 at 12:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Women's basketball has come a long way. The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. Those boys simply would not play "drop the hankerchief." James Naismith, the inventor of the game and first coach at K.U.
March 25, 2010 at 12:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plbjtm (anonymous) says...
While listening on the radio to their loss to the UCM Jennies in the MIAA Tournament Semi-Finals and the crowd was chanting "OVER-RATED" - whose still playing now?
March 25, 2010 at 3:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Flint_Hills_Sage (anonymous) says...
Logically, Washburn's Lady Blues should be in St. Joseph but the Lady Hornets are impressive and will knock off Fort Lewis for the D2 National Championship. Go Hornets!
(And this comes from a WU alum.)
March 25, 2010 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rocknroll (anonymous) says...
Great job Lady Hornets! Go get that last one on Friday. You are always winners to your fans and ESU alumni.
March 25, 2010 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmadog (anonymous) says...
What a game sports fans! It had everything. A couple of great teams, an undefeated team, bad officiating, streaks of hot and cold, ESPN, OT, lead changes, a come back from 18 points down, an underdog, awesome fans on both sides... GO LADY HORNETS. Let's pack the house on Friday and make a White Auditorium North!
March 25, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Absolutely awesome game ladies! Congratulations!
March 25, 2010 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncanyon (anonymous) says...
Wow.. The AP got that story out quick...lol
Congrats Lady Hornets.
March 25, 2010 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
What a great game to listen to. been awhile since I huddled next to a radio with the excitement that I felt last night. The announcers were grand and felt like I was there almost. I wish I didn't have to work friday night, but wish the gals the best of luck and will be checking on the web that night for updates.
March 25, 2010 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whitney (anonymous) says...
Wow what a game, it was fantastic. I listened to every second, although my grandkids were all over me. Thanks goodness for streaming. I'm in AZ and listened to the game on the KVOE web site. Yea, I know it was on ESPNU, but that channel was not available. Good luck Friday. Ron
March 25, 2010 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Headed to St Joe tomorrow, awesome job Lady Hornets!!!!
March 25, 2010 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...
Great job, Hornets! This proud alumnus is paying close attention... long distance.
March 25, 2010 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )