Lady Hornets sting Southern

JOPLIN -- Led by the hot shooting of Andi McAlexander, No. 4-ranked Emporia State downed Missouri Southern, 80-71, on Wednesday (Jan. 19) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. McAlexander connected on 8-of-10 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and finished with 24 points to lead the Hornets (14-2, 5-2 MIAA). Nicole Patry added 20 points for ESU. After trailing 44-34 early in the second half, Missouri Southern closed the gap to 46-44, at the 14:30 mark of the second half, with a 10-2 burst. But from there, the Lady Hornets outscored the Lions 20-9 while Southern went more than seven minutes without a field goal. McAlexander, Patry and Esmary Vargas-Sanchez combined for 16 of ESU`s points during the run. Southern (11-5, 3-4 MIAA) was able only to pull back within seven in the late stages of the game. An Aubrie Hallman jumper with 1:34 left cut the lead to 74-67, but Patry scored a fast break layup off the ensuing inbounds play. McAlexander went 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the final 56 seconds to seal the win for ESU. Vargas-Sanchez and Casey Henningsen added 11 points each for the Lady Hornets, who snapped a three-game road losing streak to the Lions. Michelle Brown added seven points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Hallman charted 24 points and five assists for the Lions, who converted a season-high 23 free throws on a season-most 26 attempts. Vonny Wilson added a career-best 23 points and eight rebounds.