Box Score WICHITA – The Newman men's basketball team shot 54.8 percent in the first half and never looked back, pulling away for an 80-63 win over Oklahoma Christian on Thursday night (Jan. 31) at Fugate Gymnasium. The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Jets as NU upped improved to 15-3 overall.
 
With the Jets down one, 22-21, at the 8:06 mark of the first half, Newman went on a 15-2 run to take a 36-24 advantage with 3:46 left in the half. Frankie Drayton scored the last eight points of the run on a jumper and then back-to-back 3-pointers. The Jets maintained the 12 point lead into halftime at 43-31.
 
Newman led by double digits the whole second half and pushed the margin to as high as 20 points, 64-44, on a 3-pointer from Darrell Traylor at the 10:42 mark. The Eagles couldn't close the gap for the rest of the game as NU cruised to the 80-63 win.
 
Shamar Acuay and Frankie Drayton led a bench that scored 47 of the 80 Jets' points. Acuay scored a team-high 15 points, and Drayton poured in 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point distance. Bobby Wesley had a game-high eight assists as Newman totaled 22 assists on 28 baskets.
 
The Jets shot 54.8 percent (17-31) in the first half, and NU was 44.4 percent (28-63) from the field in the game. Newman went 13-of-26 from 3-point range in the game.
 
NU's defense was strong, holding OC to 31 percent (18-58) in the game, including 29 percent (9-31) in the second half. Willie Harper scored 20 for the Eagles, and Will Reinke scored 16 points.
 
The Jets return to action on Saturday (Feb. 2) against Dallas Baptist at 2 p.m. at Fugate Gymnasium. The Potter Family Court dedication will occur prior to the game at 1:45 p.m., and the 2013 Hall of Fame class will be honored at halftime.