Box Score WICHITA – The Newman men's basketball team couldn't keep pace with Rogers State, falling 77-64 on Thursday (Jan. 9) at Fugate Gymnasium. The Jets dropped to 4-9 and 1-4 in the Heartland Conference. RSU moved to 10-4 and 5-1 in the conference.
 
The Jets held a brief three-point lead after Trae Beck knocked down a 3 for an early 6-3 score less than 2 minutes into the game. NU's lead was cut to one at 6-5 at the 17:41 mark, and a dunk from the Hillcats erased the NU advantage. The Jets didn't hold the lead for the rest of the game.
 
With the score tied 12-12 with 13:31 left in the first half, RSU went on an 11-0 run to pull out to a 23-12 advantage.
 
NU made a run of its own to pull to with two at 34-32 after a Ryan McCarthy 3-pointer with 3:14 left before halftime. The Jets trailed 37-34 after the first stanza.
 
A layup by Perryonte Smith made it a one-point game at 50-49 midway through the second half. After the basket, the Hillcats went on a 21-5 run to take a commanding 71-54 lead, their largest of the game, with 2:37 remaining. RSU hung on for the 77-64 win.
 
Landers Riddle scored a team-high 12 points. Jeremy Espinoza added 11 points and eight rebounds. He also had two blocks and a steal. Marquis Cuyler nearly totaled a double-double as he had nine points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Jets host UA-Fort Smith on Saturday (Jan. 9) at 3 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.