EMPORIA, Kan. – SWOSU Men's Basketball hung close with No. 20 Emporia State through the game's first half, but saw that margin stretch wider in the second half and went on to fall 83-63 in the final game of the weekend.
The game wraps up SWOSU's time at the GAC/MIAA Challenge on opening weekend. The Dawgs will be back in action a week from today, Saturday, November 18, against Dallas Baptist in Texas. The home opener comes Nov. 21 against Cameron.
SWOSU went bucket-for-bucket with Emporia nearly the entire first half. The first twenty minutes featured nine lead changes and four ties, but it was the Hornets who took a four-point lead into the half leading 41-37. The Dawgs were able to keep things tight thanks to a 50% shooting mark through the game's first 20 minutes which included 14 first-half points from Jalen Johnson off the bench.
Emporia State heated up after halftime and went on to shoot 60% in the second half to pull away. The hot shooting, mixed with sub-35% shooting from the Dawgs, allowed the Hornets to outscore SWOSU 42-26 and cruise to the win.
The Hornets finished at over 50% shooting from the field in the game and knocked down 10 three-point shots.
Three Bulldogs finished in double figures. Mark Berry posted 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting and led the team with seven rebounds.
SWOSU lost the turnover battle 13-8.
