In El Dorado, the Spartans fell 62-40 to the Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders. Emporia High led by as many as three early before Kapaun Mt. Carmel used an 8-0 run en route to an 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Kapaun extended its lead to 36-22 at halftime. 

Emporia High was able to make a comeback in the third and managed to pull within five, despite trailing 45-38 heading into the fourth. Emporia High was held to two points in the fourth quarter. Nolan Jacob led Emporia High with 13 points while Rylan Crowell added 10. Emporia High coach Lee Baldwin said Kapaun was too much down the stretch.

Emporia High is now 5-4 on the season and will play for third place in the Bluestem Classic against Goddard at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Goddard fell to Wichita Collegiate, 59-43.