Men's Basketball | 11/22/2017 11:04:00 AM

WICHITA, Kan. — Continuing a tough nonconference schedule, the Newman men's basketball team will make a quick turnaround over the thanksgiving holiday and face off against Emporia State and Central Missouri this weekend at the ESU Thanksgiving Classic.

SCOUTING NEWMAN

The Jets (2-2) fell to Pittsburg State in the MIAA Challenge Tuesday night in Kansas City, Mo., dropping an 88-69 decision as the Gorillas put together a tough second-half run. That was Newman's first game in nearly week, since the Jets topped Manhattan Christian 80-61 on Nov. 15.

                Leaders

                Ben Ayre-13.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.3 apg
                Andre Sands-11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 44.4 FG%
                Kevin Bryant-10.3 ppg, 7.8 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3 stl, 2 blk, 56.0 FG%, 85.7 3FG%
                Christian DeYoung-9.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2 stl, 44.4 3FG%
                Dametrius Walker-8.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 42.3 FG%

SCOUTING THE HORNETS (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Emporia State (2-2) still has another game to play before Thanksgiving, making the hosts' turnaround even quicker than the Jets. Before facing Northwestern Oklahoma State Wednesday, the Hornets took Missouri to the brink Monday evening, falling just 67-62 in their third exhibition against a Division I opponent this season.

                Leaders

                Brandon Hall-20.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 7 stl, 50.0 FG%
                Hassan Thomas-10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 6 blk, 2 stl, 85.7 3FG%
                Stephaun Limuel-8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3 blk, 6 stl, 73.7 FG%

SCOUTING THE MULES (Saturday, 5 p.m.)

Central Missouri (4-1) also took part in the MIAA Challenge Tuesday, where they picked up a 74-58 victory over East Central. The lone loss on the season for the Mules, who were picked second in the MIAA preseason poll, came at home to a Cameron team that Newman had defeated six days earlier.

                Leaders

                Spencer Reeves-17.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 8 stl, 53.8 FG%, 43.8 3FG%
                Jakob Lowrance-15.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 5 blk, 62.0 FG%, 42.1 3FG%
                Clarence Smith-10.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 6 stl, 52.9 FG%

NOTES

-Ayre found his scoring stroke early against Pitt State, going for 20 of his career-high 25 points in the first half. That was the first time the junior has led the Jets in scoring this season.

COVERAGE

There will be live pay-per-view video for the contest against Emporia State. Live statistics and audio will be available for both games at www.newmanjets.com, and both contests will be broadcast live on 92.3 KKGQ, with Blake Cripps on the call.