KIRKSVILLE, MO. – Truman State erased a 13-point lead by Emporia State (Kan.) then settled in to win its home opener 91-79 Wednesday night.
 
Down 17-4 six minutes into the game, the Bulldogs claimed their first lead of the game, 24-23, on a Casen Lawrence three pointer at 9:30 remaining in the first half. The 'Dogs took a 50-41 lead into the half before climbing out to a lead as high as 20 with minutes to play. Lawrence's 15 points, including 5-8 from three-point range, paced a Bulldog bench that outscored Emporia State 45-14 in the victory. 
 
Trey Shearer hit four of ten shots from behind the arc as he led all Bulldogs with 16 points on the evening while the team reached 43.8 percent from deep shooting 14-32. Matt Haefner and Xavier Hall contribute 10 points each with Hall's eight rebounds and eight assists were tops for the Purple and White.
 
Truman State climbs to 2-1 on the young season while Emporia State falls to 1-2. The Bulldogs return to action with a 6 p.m. home game against Northeastern State (Okla.) University Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Pershing Arena.