EMPORIA, Kan. – The UIndy men's basketball team nearly knocked off No. 24 Emporia State on Sunday afternoon before dropping a 82-72 decision.
 
The Hornets finished the game on a 17-6 to seal the victory over the Greyhounds, who led 66-65 with five minutes left.
 
Jesse Bingham led the team in scoring with 17 points, while four others finished with nine.
 
INS & OUTS
In what will prove to be one of the best back-and-forth games of the season, the Hounds and Hornets needed all 40 minutes to decide the victor.
 
David Ejah kept the momentum alive late in the second half with consecutive buckets, including a 3-pointer from the corner to give UIndy a 63-62 lead late.
 

?? | Dave picked a good time to get in the scoring column…it's coming down to the wire here in Emporia! pic.twitter.com/h6wLgr0Xb0

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) November 26, 2023

The host Hornets opened an 8-0 run before a Paul Zilinskas and-1 kept the Hounds' hopes alive. Emporia State continued to work around the UIndy defense in the final minutes, drilling its last four field goal attempts and sinking 5-of-7 from the charity stripe.
 
UIndy refused to go away in the first half, with Josiah Tynes hitting a 3-pointer from the left wing to beat the buzzer and knot the game at 38 heading into the break.
 

?? | Jo in his eye ??? to tie the game at 38 apiece heading into the locker room! pic.twitter.com/kMj9FqYUV7

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) November 26, 2023

INSIDE THE BOX
- Sean Craig recorded four points and four rebounds in 14+ minutes off the bench.
- UIndy held Emporia State to just 6-of-19 from 3-point land, which came in shooting nearly 39 percent from deep this season.
- The Greyhounds were whistled for 26 fouls compared to the Hornets' 14 and, as a result, attempted 13 fewer free throws.
- The Hornets committed 11 thefts on Sunday, while forcing 16 Greyhound turnovers.
- Due to early foul trouble, Kendrick Tchoua was limited to just over 16 minutes of action; however, the senior center was +6 when on the floor for the Hounds.
 
MORE NOTES
Sunday marked the first meeting between UIndy and Emporia State … Atavian Butler led Emporia State with 22 points … Zac Szul followed up his game-winner from Wednesday with a solid nine points and four assists in 21+ minutes.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Paul Corsaro on the loss…
"They're one of the best teams in the country. I think we can be, but the reason we're not yet is our guys have to buy in to being more disciplined down the stretch and pay a little more attention to detail. All of our guys gave us something, but at the end of the day we have to execute down the stretch."
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds open GLVC play on Thursday against Southwest Baptist. Tip at Nicoson Hall is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.