HAYS, Kan.- The Newman men's basketball team was dealt its first loss of the season, falling 75-65 to Fort Hays State Tuesday evening at Gross Coliseum in Hays, Kan. Chuck Coley all scorers with 18 points in the loss

First Half:

A barrage of three's from Omar McDade and KC Rodenburg kick-started a fast start for Fort Hays State who shot 58 percent from the field and 56 percent from deep. Newman fell behind early, as Matt Simmons scored four of the first six points for the Tigers, and also cleaned up the boards with 11 for the half. Mason Felter tried to keep the Jets within striking range by scoring six first-half points. Newman shot 26 percent (7-27) from the field, and only converted four of eight free throw attempts.

Second Half:

Newman scratched it's way back in the second half after trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half. The Jets' full-court press proved valuable as they held Fort Hays State without a field goal for a span of five minutes in the second half, forcing 14 turnovers in the half. The momentum went Newman's way much of the second half, as they clawed to within six points after a Ryan McCarthy three-pointer with 4:22 left in the game. Ultimately, fouls proved costly throughout much of the second-half, as Fort Hays State was put on the free-throw stripe 12 times in the period. The Jets continued to battle to the final seconds, when two Tyrone Phillips's lay-ups put the game out of reach. Chuck Coley and Eric Saunders led the charge in the second half for Newman, as they poured in 18 and 17 points respectively.

-Chuck Coley led all scorers with 18 points. Eric Saunders added 17 points in the loss.

-The Jets forced 24 turnovers in the game, and gave the ball away just 14 times.

-Four Tigers scored in double-figures, lead by Tyrone Phillips 17 points.

-Mason Felter lead the Jets in the rebounding for the game with six.

-Newman shot 30.8 percent (20-65) for the game, and converted 18 of its 26 free-throws on the night.

-Fort Hays State out-rebounded Newman 42-35 in the game, and was led by Matt Simmons 14 rebounds.

-After a stellar first-half in which the Tigers shot 58.3 percent (14-24) from the floor, Newman held Fort Hays State to 39.1% from the field, and just 16.7% from downtown in the second half.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 3-1 on the season. They will return to action Friday, traveling to Topeka to take on the Washburn Ichabods. Tip-time inside Washburn's Lee Arena is slated for 1 p.m.

--www.newmanjets.com--