EMPORIA, Kan. — Ben Ayre poured in 17 points and Dametrius Walker added 16 points and eight rebounds, but the Newman men's basketball team fell to host Emporia State, 85-80, on the first day of the ESU Thanksgiving Classic Friday night.

Walker also added three steals and two blocks, as the Jets charged back from a halftime deficit to pull within two at 79-77 with less than a minute left. Newman went ahead on a Walker 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, but the Hornets managed to go back ahead on a layup, and sealed the game with four late free throws.

The Jets continue their holiday weekend with a game against Central Missouri Saturday evening.