Box Score WICHITA - The No. 19-ranked Newman men's basketball team held on for a 78-69 win over Texas A&M International on Thursday (Jan. 10) night at Fugate Gymnasium. The Jets improved to 12-1 and 3-0 in the Heartland Conference, while the Dustdevils dropped to 7-5 and 2-2.
 
Neither team could gain control in the first half as the Jets held the largest lead at six twice, both late in the half. At the 5:52 mark, Newman took a five point lead at 30-25 after a layup by Elhad Emerllahu. TAMIU pushed back, tying the game at 34-34 with 1:42 remaining in the first stanza. The Jets responded with a quick 6-0 run with baskets from Shamar Acuay and Bobby Wesley to go up 40-34 with 34 second left. The Jets had an opportunity to push the margin right before halftime after a foul and technical foul gave NU four free throws with 2 seconds, however, the Jets went 1-4 from the line to go into halftime up 41-36.
 
Newman led the whole second half, pushing the lead to 12 points on a 12-3 run at the 12:17 mark on a 3-pointer from Richard Waldron. The largest lead came at the 7:49 mark after a Frankie Drayton layup made it 67-53 Jets.
 
Texas A&M International hung around late because of poor Jet free throw shooting, including one stretch where Newman missed six-straight three throws. The Jets closed, however, as Drayton made four straight free throws in the final 47 seconds to seal the win.
 
The Jets were very balanced offensively with seven players scoring seven or more points. Marquis Cuyler and Frankie Drayton led the way with 11 points each, and Darrell Traylor and Shamar Acuay each added 10 points. Newman shot 43.3 percent from the field (26-60) and shot 41.7 (5-12) percent from 3-point range.
 
Newman's defense kept Texas A&M International to 37 percent shooting from the field, including 31.03 percent in the second half. Matthew Culliver, Jr. scored a game-high 26 points for the Dustdevils.
 
The Jets continue their two-game homestand with a 4 p.m. game on Saturday (Jan. 12) against St. Mary's at Fugate Gymnasium.