About the Jets...
The Jets roll into Thursday's match-up winners of their last three Heartland Conference games. Newman's 3-0 record in conference play marks its best start since transitioning to NCAA Division II athletics in the 2008-09 school year. Junior Shamar Acuay (11.4 ppg), has averaged 14 points per game since Heartland Conference action started on Jan. 7. Senior Eric Saunders (12.1 ppg) is shooting 83.3 percent (15-18) at the charity stripe thus far in conference play. Newman will look to even its road record at .500. The Jets currently hold a 3-4 mark away from Fugate Gymnasium.
Scouting UTPB...
The Falcons come into Thursday's match-up with an overall record of 6-10, and a 0-4 mark in Heartland Conference play. Branden Harrison (11.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), leads UTPB in both points per game and rebounds per game. Harrison logged a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, in a 57-53 victory against Angelo State in Odessa, Texas on Jan. 2. The 10 rebounds marked a season-high for Harrison. UTPB has six players averaging 8+ points per contest.
Head to Head...
|
|
Newman Jets |
UTPB Falcons |
|
Points Per Game: |
69.6 |
71.2 |
|
Scoring Margin: |
+1.7 |
+1.4 |
|
Field-Goal Percentage: |
39.9% |
45.7% |
|
Three-Point Percentage: |
29.7% |
37.6% |
|
Free-Throw Percentage: |
64.3% |
67.9% |
|
Rebounds Per Game: |
36.3 |
29.1 |
|
Rebound Margin: |
-3.3 |
-4.7 |
|
Assists Per Game: |
12.7 |
14.1 |
|
Turnovers Per Game: |
14.4 |
13.5 |
|
Turnover Margin: |
-4.0 |
+3.2 |
|
Steals Per Game: |
9.4 |
6.9 |
|
Blocks Per Game: |
4.3 |
2.1 |
Last Time Out...
Newman won its third-straight Heartland Conference game, holding off St. Mary's, 76-74. The first half saw a battle of teams trying to set the tempo of the game. The game was a virtual deadlock in the early going, until a 7-0 run, highlighted by two Joe Monroe free-throws gave the Rattlers a 19-11 lead at the 7:03 mark. St. Mary's held an eight-point advantage until the 3:11 mark, when the Jets rallied with a four-point spurt, after a pair of Ryan Mesh free-throws with 2:28 to play. A Bobby Wesley three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the half, pulled Newman to within three points, but the Rattlers went into intermission with a 45-42 lead.
St. Mary's opened the second half on a 7-2 run, finding its post presence in Kevin Kotzur early and often. The Jets narrowed the gap to two, 56-54, at the 13:15 mark, after Shamar Acuay knocked down two free-throw attempts. Both teams traded baskets until the 8:16 mark, when the Rattlers had a four-point surge, taking a 68-63 lead with 6:32 left to play. When it looked like St. Mary's would run away with the game, Newman found an answer. At the 1:48 mark, Josh Pleasant knocked down a jumper, pulling Newman within one, 72-71. The final minute of play was one to remember. Darrell Traylor gave the Jets the lead, 73-72, after a pair of free-throws with 1:03 left in regulation. On its next possession, Lamb Autrey ran the shot clock down to five seconds, before converting a layup, giving St. Mary's a 74-73 advantage with 35 seconds to play. Newman answered on the ensuing possession when Shamar Acuay received the ball at the top of the key, and knocked down a jumper, giving the Jets a 75-74 edge over the Rattlers with 30 seconds to play. Autrey held the ball until six seconds remained on the clock, and attempted a jumper that rattled in-and-out. Chuck Coley corralled the rebound, and was fouled immediately. Coley made one of two free-throws to give Newman a 76-74 lead with five seconds to play. An in-bounds pass by Lamb Autrey was to high, and hit the scoreboard, securing the victory for the Jets.
Shamar Acuay led the Newman offense with a career-high 20 poionts. Acuay was joined in double-figures by Darrell Traylor's 13 point outing. As a team, the Jets shot 42.4 percent (25-59) from the field. Newman shot 35.3 percent (6-17) from beyond the arc, with Acuay accounting for half of the team's three-pointers.
Player to Watch...
Chuck Coley- The senior from West Palm Beach, Fla. has been a dominant force in the post, averaging 9.6 points per game in Heartland Conference games. Coley has converted on six dunks in the past two games.
Building A Rivalry...
Thursday's game marks the ninth time the respective schools have met on the hardwood. Newman owns a 5-3 record against UTPB. In their first ever meeting on Feb. 28, 2008, the Jets flew past the Falcons, 90-74, in Odessa, Texas. Last year saw each team won on its home court. Newman won inside Fugate Gymnasium, edging UTPB, 78-71, on Jan.20, 2011. The Falcons defeated the Jets, 84-77, on Feb. 19, 2011 inside the Falcon Dome.
Tonight in the Heartland Conference...
-Newman (11-4, 3-0) at Texas-Permian Basin (6-10, 0-4 ) -- 5:30 p.m. -- Odessa, Texas -- Live Stats
-Arkansas-Fort Smith (10-7, 3-1) at St. Mary's (8-8, 0-4) at St -- 5:30 p.m. -- San Antonio, Texas.-- Live Stats
-Oklahoma Panhandle State (2-12, 0-3) at St. Edward's (8-8, 0-4) -- 5:30 p.m. -- Austin, Texas -- Live Stats |
