Bulldogs fall in first round to Hornets
- Joseph Barker
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Truman Bulldogs cracked the 90 point barrier for the third time season during Friday night’s game against Emporia State University.
This time the Bulldogs didn’t win.
The third seeded ’Dogs fell 96-90 to the sixth seeded Emporia Hornets in the first round of the MIAA Conference Tournament. With the loss Truman falls to 20-8 on the season.
The game, easily the highest scoring of the first round contests, featured constant back and forth action. The score was tied 15 times throughout the game with the lead changing 23 times.
Offensive action from both squads started from the opening tip. Both teams shot above 50% in the first half.
The Bulldogs were 14-27 from the field and 8-13 from long range. Emporia matched the ’Dogs hot shooting, opening the contest with 16-28 shooting from the field and 2-6 from behind the arc.
ESU took the advantage on free throws, hitting 6 more than the ’Dogs to put the up 46-42 at the half.
Emporia extended their lead early in the second half going up by as much as seven with 15:15 left to play in the half. Truman then went on a three shooting binge - with senior guard Chip Sodemann, junior guard Austin Kirby and junior center Garret Grimm knocking down treys. Those shots, plus two buckets by junior forward Andy Calmes put the ’Dogs on a 15-4 run and had them up by four with 12:05 left in the game.
With 1:37 left in the game Kirby hit two free throws to tie the game for the 15th time at 87 all. The Hornets then went on a 9-3 run, highlighted by sophomore guards Wes Book’s three pointer with the shot clock winding down and the game clock showing 23 seconds left. The three put the Hornets up by far and signaled the end of the game.
The rest of the second half featured more back and forth action. The ’Dogs couldn’t contain senior Shawn Herrman. The Hornets 6’6” forward knocked down a game-high 26 points and was 10-10 on the night.
Six ’Dogs scored double figures with sophomore swingman Nick Certa leading the way with 18. All five starters cracked the 10-point mark.
But in the end it wasn’t enough.
Implications: The loss does NOT end the season for the 'Dogs. Truman is still in postion to secure one of 8 open spots in the Regional Tournament. The purple and white are currently fifth in the region. The NCAA's will decide the eight team field Sunday night.
Game Notes: Junior forward Grant Agbo dressed, but did not play a minute for Truman. Head coach Jack Schrader said after that game that Agbo was sick. … Six different players for the ’Dogs hit three pointers in the first half. … ESU will take on Central Missouri State University tonight at the Kansas City (Mo.) Municipal Auditorium. … Before the win Emporia had been 0-7 in MIAA conference tournament games. …Stat of the Night Part One: Truman had 21 assists and 17 turnovers, well above their season average. … Stat of the Night Part Two: Emporia scored 23 points off of Turnovers to Truman’s 8. ... Truman shot 53.8% (14-26) from downtown. ... Both Truman and Emporia closed the game shooting above 50% from the field. ... Complete game stats can be found at the Truman Bulldogs athletic site.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Truman Bulldogs cracked the 90 point barrier for the third time season during Friday night’s game against Emporia State University.
This time the Bulldogs didn’t win.
The third seeded ’Dogs fell 96-90 to the sixth seeded Emporia Hornets in the first round of the MIAA Conference Tournament. With the loss Truman falls to 20-8 on the season.
The game, easily the highest scoring of the first round contests, featured constant back and forth action. The score was tied 15 times throughout the game with the lead changing 23 times.
Offensive action from both squads started from the opening tip. Both teams shot above 50% in the first half.
The Bulldogs were 14-27 from the field and 8-13 from long range. Emporia matched the ’Dogs hot shooting, opening the contest with 16-28 shooting from the field and 2-6 from behind the arc.
ESU took the advantage on free throws, hitting 6 more than the ’Dogs to put the up 46-42 at the half.
Emporia extended their lead early in the second half going up by as much as seven with 15:15 left to play in the half. Truman then went on a three shooting binge - with senior guard Chip Sodemann, junior guard Austin Kirby and junior center Garret Grimm knocking down treys. Those shots, plus two buckets by junior forward Andy Calmes put the ’Dogs on a 15-4 run and had them up by four with 12:05 left in the game.
With 1:37 left in the game Kirby hit two free throws to tie the game for the 15th time at 87 all. The Hornets then went on a 9-3 run, highlighted by sophomore guards Wes Book’s three pointer with the shot clock winding down and the game clock showing 23 seconds left. The three put the Hornets up by far and signaled the end of the game.
The rest of the second half featured more back and forth action. The ’Dogs couldn’t contain senior Shawn Herrman. The Hornets 6’6” forward knocked down a game-high 26 points and was 10-10 on the night.
Six ’Dogs scored double figures with sophomore swingman Nick Certa leading the way with 18. All five starters cracked the 10-point mark.
But in the end it wasn’t enough.
Implications: The loss does NOT end the season for the 'Dogs. Truman is still in postion to secure one of 8 open spots in the Regional Tournament. The purple and white are currently fifth in the region. The NCAA's will decide the eight team field Sunday night.
Game Notes: Junior forward Grant Agbo dressed, but did not play a minute for Truman. Head coach Jack Schrader said after that game that Agbo was sick. … Six different players for the ’Dogs hit three pointers in the first half. … ESU will take on Central Missouri State University tonight at the Kansas City (Mo.) Municipal Auditorium. … Before the win Emporia had been 0-7 in MIAA conference tournament games. …Stat of the Night Part One: Truman had 21 assists and 17 turnovers, well above their season average. … Stat of the Night Part Two: Emporia scored 23 points off of Turnovers to Truman’s 8. ... Truman shot 53.8% (14-26) from downtown. ... Both Truman and Emporia closed the game shooting above 50% from the field. ... Complete game stats can be found at the Truman Bulldogs athletic site.
posted by Joe Barker at Saturday, March 04, 2006
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