EMPORIA, Kan. - Lincoln just couldn't stop Emporia State.
The Hornets put five players in double figures, shot 52 percent from the floor and 44 percent from 3-point range in an 85-69 victory against the Blue Tiger women Thursday night.
Laura Patrick was nearly unstoppable for Emporia State, scoring a game-high 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Merissa Quick tallied 15 points, Rachel Hanf contributed 13 and Desiree Wylie and Sarah Wood added 11 apiece.
Down just four points with :49 to go before halftime, Lincoln allowed Emporia State to score five straight points and take a 50-41 advantage into halftime.
The Blue Tigers got within 55-49 a few minutes into the second half before the Hornets scored eight straight points to take a commanding lead. It was a double-digit edge for Emporia State the rest of the way.
Freddie Sims ahd a nice game for Lincoln, scoring 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Arriana Walker added 16 points and seven assists for the Blue Tigers, who shot just 39 percent for the game. They did hit 8-of-18 (44 percent) of their 3-point attempts.
Emporia State improves to 13-6 overall and 8-3 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Lincoln (9-11, 4-8 MIAA) travels Saturday to Central Oklahoma.
The Lincoln men kept things respectable, but just couldn't get it within a possession or two down the stretch in a 71-64 loss to Emporia State on Thursday night.
Trailing 38-26 at halftime, Lincoln cut the lead to 41-39 on a 3-pointer from Charles Cole with 13:58 to go. Emporia State scored 10 straight points, however, to assume control of the game. The Blue Tigers could only get to within seven down the stretch.
Kaleb Wright was the only Hornet to score in double figures, tallying 17. Four players - Chris Sights, Taylor Euler, Terrence Moore and Paul Bunch - each contributed nine points. Gavin Brown grabbed 13 rebounds and Bunch had 10 as Emporia State held a massive 49-26 edge in rebounding.
Cole starred for Lincoln with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting, Cedric Ridle Jr. added 16 and Mario Bass had 10.
Emporia State improves to 9-10 overall and 4-7 in the conference. Lincoln (3-19, 2-10) travels Saturday to Central Oklahoma in dire need of some wins.