Box Score WICHITA - In its first match of the Newman University Conference Challenge, the Newman men's basketball team dominated the Miners from Missouri S&T University in a 83-61 decision inside Fugate Gymnasium.  Junior Connor Walker led all scorers with 20 points.

Senior Eric Saunders made the first basket of the game, and the Jets never gave up the lead after that.  At the 14:00 mark of the first half, Eric Saunders slammed one home after an assist from Ryan Mesh, taking the Jets to a 15-10 advantage.  With help from Connor Walker and Mason Felter, Newman had four three-point baskets by the 13:00 mark of the first half, making their lead 18-14.  After junior Michael Jackson dunked the game-tying basket for the Miners, a technical foul was called due to hanging on the rim. Walker converted one of the two technical free throws, and gave the Jets a 19-18 lead at the 12:04 mark.  After over three full minutes of no scoring, Newman made a basket followed by a three-pointer after back-to-back rebounds in the 13th minute of the game, increasing their lead to 27-22.  With four minutes to go in the half, Walker made two consecutive three-point baskets within a 30 second span to take the Jets to 40-32 lead. The half ended with a two-point shot by the Miner to cut the Jets' lead 51-40.

The Jets were determined to strengthen their lead even more as they came back on the court for the second half.  Bobby Wesley made a two-point basket followed by a free throw point at the 19:18 mark in the second half to give Newman a 54-40 lead.  The Jets led 62-48 after the 10th three-point basket of the night at the 16:30 mark.  The Miners continued to struggle around the free throw line as the Jets charged ahead, making their lead 76-54 with eight minutes remaining in the game.  Jarrod Boersma gave the Jets their largest lead of the game with a 25-point, 83-58 advantage over the Miners with 1:41 remaining in the game. Missouri S&T scored the final three points of the game, but Newman got the last laugh in the 83-58 win.

Connor Walker scored 20 points behind a six-for-nine effort from beyond the arc to lead all scorers in the game.  Darrell Traylor added 14 points while Bobby Wesley finished with 12 points to round out Newman's double-digit scorers. Chuck Coley led all rebounders with 13.  Bobby Wesley carded three steals for the night.  As a team, Newman shot .469 from the field (30-64) and hit 11 of its 17 free throw attempts.  Both teams snagged 38 rebounds in the game. 

Bryce Foster was the high scorer for Missouri S&T with 13 points.

With the victory, the Jets rise to a 1-0 record on the season.  The Jets take the court next on Saturday, hosting Northeastern State University in a 4:30 match in Fugate Gymnasium.