Box Score WICHITA - The Newman men's basketball team started off fast and never let go, defeating the Falcons of the University of Texas-Permian Basin 57-43 on Saturday inside Fugate Gymnasium.  Chuck Coley led all scorers with 15 points.
 
Darrell Traylor canned a three-pointer to start the game, leading to an eventual 13-2 Jet lead at the 12-minute mark in the first half.  The Falcons tried to battle back, striking a 9-point run off that included a basket by Elijah Jordan from behind the arc at the 6:30 mark.  After sending the Jets to the charity stripe three times, the half was closed by two UTPB baskets, making the score 21-18 Newman heading into the second half.
 
The Falcons rallied to get the game to a one-point margin at the 16:40 mark in the second half.  Newman wasn't down for the count though, taking a possessive lead that led to a 38-24 advantage at the 7:15 mark.  The remaining minutes of the game were spent sending both teams to the line a total of 16 times.  The game was ended by a Falcon basket by Ke'Andre Derrick to make the final score 57-43 Newman.
 
Coley was lead in double figures by a 13-point outing from Eric Saunders and a 10-point outing from Shamar Acuay.   Coley also had three steals while Saunders was 2-3 behind the arc. 
 
As a team, Newman scored 43.9 percent (18-41) from the field and 70.8 (17-24) from the charity stripe.  Newman also carded 12 steals and 28 rebounds for the game.  The Jets out-rebounded the Falcons 28-27.
 
Branden Harrison led the Falcons with 15 points.
 
With the victory, Newman moves to 17-8 on the season, and a 9-4 record in Heartland Conference play. The Jets return to action on Thursday when they play Oklahoma Panhandle State inside Fugate Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.