Box Score WICHITA - The Newman men's basketball team continued its early season success, defeating the Northeastern State Riverhawks in dramatic fashion. Senior Eric Saunders drained the game-winning shot with three seconds remaining to give the Jets a 47-46 win Saturday evening inside Fugate Gymnasium.

After trouncing Missouri S&T Friday night, the Newman offense came out against Northeastern State looking to keep their momentum going.  The Jets got off to a hot start, as baskets from Saunders and Junior Bobby Wesley sparked Newman to a quick 8-0 lead within four minutes of the opening tip.  Northeastern then went on a 9-0 run led by Kevin Arnold, one of just three scorers to reach double digits on the night, to take a 9-8 advantage with 12:11 to play in the first half.  Senior Chuck Coley sank a shot from behind the arc with 11:13 left in the half to put the Jets back in front, 11-9. That trey was Newman's final three-point bucket of the night. Both teams struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, trading the lead several times before the Riverhawks sank two free throws at the one-minute mark to take a 21-17 lead going into the half.

The Jets came out in the second half determined to overcome their offensive woes, as Darrell Traylor and Chuck Coley each sank two point baskets to tie the game at 21-21 two minutes in.  Junior Connor Walker converted two free throws at the 15:54 mark to put Newman ahead 23-22, but that was the last time the Jets would lead before the final minute of the game.  Northeastern responded with eight unanswered points to take a seven-point, 30-23 lead, its largest of the game.  With Newman's offense continuing to struggle finding a rhythm, the defense stepped up to keep the Jets in the game, highlighted by four blocks from Chuck Coley, as well as two steals each from Bobby Wesley and Darrell Traylor.  The Jets' defense continued to force turnovers to keep the Rivercats from jumping too far ahead.  Eric Saunders converted a free throw with 3:26 remaining in the second half to start a 6 point rally for the Jets, which culminated in a two-point basket from junior Josh Pleasant to bring Newman within one point, as Northeastern still held a slim 45-44 lead.  Both teams traded free throws, giving Northeastern a 46-45 advantage with 19 seconds left in the game.  The ferocious defense which the Jets displayed all night finally paid off, forcing a turnover on an inbounds pass from the Rivercats to give the ball back to Newman with 10 seconds remaining.  Eric Saunders took a pass from Bobby Wesley and nailed a two-point jumper, giving Newman the 47-46 victory.

Chuck Coley and Bobby Wesley led the team with eight points each, Coley with a three-for-six effort on the night.  Coley also led the team in rebounds, nabbing seven boards, despite the fact that Northeastern out-rebounded Newman 43-32.  Newman hit 13 of its 20 free throw attempts.

Northeastern's Landon DeMasters led all scorers with 12 points, one of three Rivercats to reach double digits in scoring.

The Jets improve to 2-0 on the season with the victory, and will look to continue their early hot streak on Nov. 19th, as they travel to Rolla, Mo. for a rematch with Missouri S&T.