Senior day for Hornet basketball was met with a loss to The Hornet’s rival, Washburn University, last Saturday at White Auditorium, with a final score of 86-76.
“All around, they (Washburn) executed,” said Terrence Moore, senior guard. “We didn’t execute on the defensive end and get stops.”
After the first five minutes of play, the game was tied at 12. Washburn made all 12 of their points in front of the free throw line, and the Ichabods shot over 90 percent from the floor.
With 9:41 remaining in the first half, Washburn had a 21-17 advantage. The Hornets were shooting 33 percent from the floor, but ESU was using ball screen defense, causing WU to use a 2-3 zone, making it less effective for the Hornets to set screens.
Washburn extended their lead to six and Shaun Vandiver, ESU head coach, used a timeout with 4:47 remaining in the half. The Hornets trailed 30-24.
“They got out in transition a lot,” said Kevin Allen, senior center. “They ran out and they didn’t care who it was, they got out in transition, and we couldn’t stop it.”
At halftime, ESU trailed 40-34. The Hornets shot 34 percent from the floor in the first half and the Bods shot 64 percent from the floor and 57 percent from three point lane. The Bods made seven offensive rebounds in the first half.
The leading scorer for ESU was Josh Pederson, junior forward, with eight points.
With 13:18 remaining in the game, the Hornets trailed 50-48. The Hornets attempted 17 more shots than Washburn, making 35 percent of the shots to Washburn’s 58 percent from the floor.
Washburn pushed their lead to six points with 8:40 left. ESU was out-rebounded by seven and shot 37 percent from the floor.
Washburn hit back to back threes, forcing an ESU timeout. Washburn shot 63 percent from the floor and 7-12 from the three. The Hornets shot 36 percent from the floor and 36 percent from the three. ESU trailed by seven, with a score of 72-65.
With 1:31 remaining in the game, Moore hit a three-point cutting the Washburn advantage from 11 to eight. ESU began fouling and the Ichabods made their free throws, causing ESU to fall
behind.
The Hornets finished the regular season 13-15 (10-12). The loss matches ESU with Lincoln University of Missouri in the opening round of the MIAA tournament.
“They imposed their will and we didn’t,” Vandiver said. “This has been a crazy year but for it to end like that for the seniors, it’s just sad.”
