'Jays fall short against #13 ESU years ago
Hornets sting Tabor, 82-65
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Tabor has dealt with some tough teams this season, make no mistake about it — NCAA Division II heavyweight Washburn and Kansas Newman name a few.
One difference with those two opponents and Saturday night's was the Bluejays were facing a level playing field.
Saturday against NCAA Division II's 13th ranked host Emporia State Hornets, the Bluejays were playing five against eight.
Disputable officiating played a huge factor in helping Emporia (8-0) tie a school-record 23 wins in White Auditorium, stopping Tabor (6-6, 2-2 KCAC,) 82-65.
Questionable calls?
Tabor was hit for 27 fouls leading the Hornets to 31 trips to the foul line where they hit a near flawless 26 and 10-of-11 the second half.
The Bluejays fell behind by three twice in the opening 3:00 before Scott Schaffer flushed a game-tying three to trip off a 10-0 run.
Anthony Monson and Grant Brubacher combined for 26 points with a team-high 13 each while Andy Brubacher supplied 11.
Grant Brubacher's three 4:00 in gave Tabor its largest lead of the night, 15-8.
The Bluejays' red hot perimeter shooting literally carried them to a 41-39 edge at halftime on 9-for-21 from outside.
Tabor's quartet of the Brubacher brothers, Schaffer, and Jason Dechant hit a combined 50 percent from downtown, furnishing all nine of the Bluejays threes.
The Bluejays held on to the lead for the next 4:30 before Deshawn Anderson scored a game-tying fast break.
The Hornets' Jay Miller stung the Bluejays for a game-high 23 points, including a three that gave ESU its first lead since the 17:22 mark with 10:39 left in the first half, 23-22.
Tabor led the majority of the final 10:00 with the Hornets both tying and leading twice, getting nearly half their 39 first half points at the free throw line.
ESU cooled off the Bluejays' perimeter shooting the second half, allowing them just eight attempts and 35 percent on the game.
That didn't stop Tabor from hanging on to and extending its lead the opening minutes of the final period.
Three more ties and lead changes before the Bluejays seemed to fizzle out after a Monson fast break gave them a 56-55 lead with 10:21 left.
The Hornets seized control of the game with a 13-1 run to push their lead to 68-57 and ESU never looked back.
Sticking with the Hornets had to be a much-needed mental boost for the Bluejays, a team that's struggled protecting leads.
Tabor hit 46 percent from the floor while holding the Hornets to 42 percent overall and an identical 35 percent from three point range.
The Bluejays nearly out-rebounded ESU, 33-30, with Martin deBoer and Pat Miller pulling down a team-high five each.
One of the biggest differences in the contest proved to be the Hornets getting to the foul line 14 more times than Tabor, who hit 53 percent.
The Bluejays return to action New Year's Eve for the Tabor College Post Holiday Classic.
Tabor hosts the Hastings Broncos to close out 2004 at 8 p.m before ringing in 2005 New Year's Day with a 7 p.m. tipoff against Central Methodist.
Brown Gym open during holidays
Hillsboro Recreation Commission will have open gym at Brown Gym at Hillsboro High School on the following days during the holiday season: Sunday, Dec. 26, 2 to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 28, 7 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 29, 7 to 9 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 30, 7 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, 2 to 5 p.m.
Participants are asked to supply their own basketballs and to bring court shoes.
