Kansas City, Mo. -- Emporia State held off a valiant late charge from top seed Fort Hays State in a thrilling MIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game. ESU held FHSU to just .290 shooting from the field as they earned the 49-46 victory.

Emporia State led by ten at the half and then by as much as 11 before FHSU started to cut into the lead. With 5:29 to play FHSU used a 6-0 run to cut the lead to one point before leading by a point of their own with 55 seconds to play before ESU scored four straight points to close out the game.

For the Lady Hornets Kelly Moten finished with a double-double scoring 16 points and pulling down 12 rebounds while also dishing out five assists. Kathryn Flott finished with nine points and Kyrstie Miller pulled down 10 rebounds.

For the Tigers Kate Lehman had a double-double scoring scoring 13 points and pulling down a game high 13 rebounds. Nikola Kacperska scored a game high 19 points while Jill Faxon scored 11 points and Keriann Shaw dished out three assists.

The Lady Hornets earn the conferences automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament and will play in next week's Central Regional. All other MIAA teams will await their fate on tonight's selection show scheduled for 9:00 p.m. CST at ncaa.com.

All-Tournament Team
Kelly Moten, Emporia State (Most Outstanding Player)

Merissa Quick, Emporia State

Nikola Kacperska, Fort Hays State

Kate Lehman, Fort Hays State

Revonnia Howard, Central Missouri

Notes: