EMPORIA, Kan. – On Saturday afternoon, the Newman Jets were looking to start off 2021 with a win against Emporia State on the road inside White Auditorium.  This contest was the rescheduling of a previously postponed game due to COVID-19 protocols and unfortunately for the Jets, the Hornets would control the game from the opening tip and finish off the Jets 76-42.

In the first half, Emporia State (5-1, 5-1) would start the game going on a 17-2 run before Branden Bunn would make a three point basket with 11:14 left in the first half.  The Jets would cut the Hornets lead down to 7 with 6:56 left to make the score 23-16.  Emporia State would then outscore the Jets 15-8 to close out the half shooting 7-11 from the floor in the final minutes. 

In the second half, Emporia State continued to control the pace and would obtain their biggest lead of the game at 36 with 1:13 left in the contest.  The shooting struggles continued for the Jets in the second half with Emporia State responding to every scoring run the Jets tried to make. With the cold Jets shooting and the Hornets shooting 50% from the field and 63.6% from three in the second half, Emporia State would defeat the Jets 76-42 and get their first win over the Jets since Nov. 24th, 2017.

Newman (2-5, 2-5) shot 14-60 from the floor for 23.3 percent, 4-26 from three for 15.4 percent and 10-16 from the free throw line for 62.5 percent. While Emporia State shot 29-59 for 49.2 percent, and 10-22 from 3 for 45.5 percent. The Jets were out-rebounded by the Hornets by 1, 38-37 with 13 coming from the offensive end compared to Emporia State 5.

Branden Bunn led the Jets in scoring with 16 points and 6 rebounds.  Joel Boyce added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the Jets loss.

Newman will continue their road trip as they travel to Claremore, Oklahoma to take on Rogers State on Thursday, Jan. 7 with tip-off at 7:30 PM.