WICHITA – The Newman men's basketball team displayed their teamwork to overcome the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions 80-69. Justin Berry and Chip Steven each scored 19 points to lead the Jets, and nine of the 10 Jets that played in the game scored.

 

Arkansas-Fort Smith (16-8) opened the game with a Josh Simmons' alley-oop from Cedric Henderson, but Newman (13-9) answered with a steal from Eric Saunders that led to a dunk by Justin Berry. The Lions' momentum was strong in the first half shooting 51.7 percent from the floor, but Newman overcame that hot shooting when a Chip Steven three-pointer sparked an 8-2 run that gave Newman its first lead. In the first 10 minutes of the first half there were four times the score was tied and six lead changes. It wasn't until the 10-minute mark when the Lions kept the lead, and ended the first half 38-30.

 

Newman started the second period with a 14-6 run that tied the game 44-44. Arkansas-Fort Smith's Jalynn Mitchell drove for a layup to give the Lions a 46-44 lead. . Shortly after, Newman took advantage of a missed free throw by Wayne Jackson. The Jets recorded the offensive board that led to a Mason Felter jumper from Tommy Brumbelow that gave the lead to Newman, 48-47, at the 13-minute mark. Newman led the rest of the way, leading by as many as 12 points in the final 90 seconds. The Jets shot 57.1 percent from the floor in the second half, while holding the Lions to a mere 28.6 percent.

 

Justin Berry and Chip Steven were both the leading scorers of the game with 19 points a piece. Berry shot 85.7 percent (6 of 7), and finished with a game-high seven rebounds. Helping them along the way were Keaton Schultz with 13 points and Mason Felter with eight points. As a team, the Jets' field goal percentage for the night was 44.8.

 

Kelson Stewart led the Lions with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

 

With the win, Newman improves to 12-9 on the season, and 4-3 in Heartland Conference play. The Jets will have a few days rest before they are back in action Thursday when they host St. Mary's. It is an 8 p.m. tip-time inside Fugate Gymnasium.