WICHITA, Kan. — Bringing momentum out of the nonleague season on the strength of a four-game winning streak, the Newman men's basketball team opens up Heartland Conference play with a roadtrip to St. Edward's Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

SCOUTING NEWMAN

The Jets (7-1, 0-0 Heartland) have won four straight on the strength of their offense, which is 25th in the nation, averaging 89.0 points per game. The high-tempo offense can be tough enough to keep up with, but Newman also forces 18.1 turnovers per game, giving it a turnover margin of plus-6.5, which is fourth in Division II.

Senior James Pegues continues to lead the Jets in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg, although classmate Gavin Thurman (14.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is pushing him for those titles, recording back-to-back games with 27 points and eight rebounds last week. Fellow starters Jalen Love, Jarvis Williams and Cortrael Colbert all bring multiple tools to the court as well, as all three average between 10.6 and 11.8 ppg, 2.8 to 3.0 apg and 2.4 to 3.0 rpg.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The Hilltoppers (7-1, 0-0 Heartland) are nearly as hot as the Jets to start conference play, winning their last three entering Thursday night's contest. SEU's only loss came on the road to No. 4 Angelo State, a 79-78 defeat that saw the Hilltoppers cut a 16-point deficit to just one over the final six minutes of the game. They're averaging 81.9 ppg, and giving up 71.8, and have only allowed 65.7 ppg over their three-game win streak.

Frankie Mgbolu leads the way with 14.8 ppg and 19 total steals. He's scored at least 14 points in seven of his team's eight games, including back-to-back 19-point efforts. Ramir Burton puts up 13.6 ppg and John Gramlich adds 12.6, with all three guards averaging better than 2.0 apg. Quinton Lilley adds 9.5 ppg and leads the team with 6.3 rpg, while Trey Lindsey adds 8.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 13 steals.

HISTORY LESSON

Since becoming conference foes in the 2008-09 season, St. Edward's leads the series against Newman 10-6, and the Hilltoppers hold a 7-1 advantage in Austin.

NOTES

-While no Jet averages 20 ppg, three players have combined for six 20-point performances, and five different players have led the team in scoring in a game.

-Pegues is 10th in Division II with a 68.3 field goal percentage, leading a team that shoots 47.0 percent from the floor, which places it in the top third nationally.

-Newman is top 30 in the country in both scoring and fewest turnovers committed. Only two other programs can claim the same efficiency with the ball in their hands.

-SEU's one-point loss to Angelo State was the closest victory of the season for the undefeated Rams, who are beating opponents by an average of 21.5 points.

COVERAGE

Live video and statistics for the game will be available at www.newmanjets.com.