By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Kelly Moton hit a driving layup and was fouled with 31 seconds to play to give Emporia State the lead back. Moton would hit two more free throws with seven seconds left lifting No. 10 Emporia State to a 49-46 win over No. 4 Fort Hays State in the MIAA tournament finals Sunday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. It’s the Hornets third straight MIAA tourney title and their eighth overall as they improve to 25-4. The Lady Tigers fall to 28-3.

FHSU Postgame Press Conference

 

Game Highlights

 

The Lady Tigers trailed most of the day. The Hornets close the first half on an 11-2 run, holding FHSU to one field goal over the final 9:30. ESU pushed the lead to 11 early in the second half but Fort Hays State rallied with a 16-5 run to grab their only lead on a Niclola Kacperska 15-foot jumper with 55 seconds to play.

Both teams saw the effects of playing three games in three days. The Tigers shoot just 33-percent including 5-of-19 from 3-point range. The Lady Hornets hit just 33-percent and were 3-of-17 from beyond the arc. FHSU hit just 5-of-12 free throws and the Hornets 8-of-9.

Kacperska led the FHSU with 19 points, Kate Lehman added 13 and Jill Faxon 11. Kelly Moten led the Lady Hornets with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Kacperska and Lehman were named to the All-Tournament team.