WICHITA - A 15-point outing by Chip Steven wasn't quite enough to lift the Newman men's basketball team past Lone Star Conference power Midwestern State, as the Jets dropped a 72-65 Homecoming decision to the visiting Mustangs Saturday night inside Fugate Gymnasium. Steven was one of three Jets to post double-digit scoring performances in the contest.

Steven and Newman (2-1) wasted no time getting started, burying a three-pointer on the Jets first possession to give the hosts an early 3-0 edge. Newman extended their lead to six three minutes later, taking a 10-4 lead on another Steven long ball. The Jets put together an 8-2 run to take their largest lead of the night, a 12-point, 18-6 advantage, at the 13:50 mark before Midwestern State (4-0) decided it was time to play. The Mustangs slowly sliced into the Newman lead over the next 10 minutes thanks to 15 free throw opportunities, 12 of which were converted into MSU points. Midwestern State took their first lead of the night, 23-22, on two made free throws from Charlie Logan, and led by as many as five inside the final minute of the first half, but a jumper by Ryan Mesh in the final seconds of the half brought the Jets back to within three, 33-30, by the halftime break.

The Jets spotted MSU two points to start the second half, then fought back to take a 38-37 lead in just better than two minutes, but that was the last time the Jets would hold the lead. While it never felt like Newman was out of the game, Midwestern slowly began to pull away, earning a 12-point, 63-51 lead over the next 10 minutes. Newman put together one last push on a 5-0 run to cut the MSU to four at 65-61 with four minutes remaining, but couldn't push themselves over the hump, as a MSU trey by Chris Hagan inside of a minute to play served as the nail in the Newman coffin. The Mustangs hit free throws down the stretch on their way to the 72-65 homecoming spoiler.

Steven's 15 points led the Jets and came off a 5-for-11 shooting performance, including a 3-for-7 effort from long-range. Jaray Mathews added 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Jake Darby finished with 10 points.

Chris Hagan and Craig Green paced Midwestern State with 17 points a piece.

Newman shot at a 42.9 percent clip from the field in the game, and hit five of 17 treys for a 29.4 percentage. The Jets rebounded from a 2-for-7 performance from the free throw line in the first half, and hit 10 of 11 from the charity stripe in the final frame. For the first time this season, Newman out-rebounded an opponent, winning the battle of the boards 37-33.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 2-1 on the season. They will be back in action Tuesday when MIAA rival Pittsburg State pays a visit to Fugate Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m., but may vary depending upon the length of the preceding Newman vs. Kansas Wesleyan women's contest.