Men's Basketball | 2/5/2015 12:03:00 PM
GOODWELL, Okla. – The Newman men's basketball team looks to keep its winning streak alive, but have to show they can improve on the road to do so. The Jets take on Oklahoma Panhandle State tonight (Feb. 5) at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available for the game.
The Jets are currently on a two-game winning streak after defeating St. Mary's and Texas A&M International at Fugate Gymnasium last week. NU (10-8, 6-6) has gone 9-3 at home this season, but has a 1-5 record on the road. They have lost two straight on the road. During last week, NU won, 91-79, over TAMIU and 86-84 over StMU.
Reggie Baker had monster offensive games in wins, scoring 23 and 34 points in the two victories. He scored 22 of his 23 points against TAMIU in the second half, and 21 of his 34 points were in the second half against StMU. For the week, Baker averaged 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists with only one turnover. He was named the Heartland Conference Player of the Week on Monday.
For the season, Baker is averaging a league-high 21.7 points per game. Senior
Jeremy Espinoza adds 13.7 points per game. Three other Jets are in double figures.
Cortrael Colbert adds 11.8 points and 5.4 assists per game.
James Pegues scores 11.4 points, and senior
Ryan McCarthy totals 10.8 points per game.
The Aggies are currently 3-17 and 1-11 in the Heartland Conference. They have lost eight straight contests. In home games, OPSU is 2-10. The game features a matchup of the two highest scorers in the conference as Antonio Manns, Jr. averages 21.5 points per game for OPSU. He also leads the Aggies in rebounding at 5.5 per game. John Lazenby adds 15.1 points per game.
In the previous matchup this season, NU defeated OPSU, 95-77, in Fugate Gymnasium. The Jets took advantage of their inside game with
Luka Vermezovic scoring a career-high 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Espinoza scored 16 points, and Pegues added 12 points. Reserve forward
Easton Julian also scored double figures, totaling 12 points and two 3s. The Jets shot 55.9 percent (38-68) from the field.
After tonight's game, the Jets travel to Lubbock Christian on Saturday (Feb. 7) for a 3 p.m. tip-off against LCU in Lubbock, Texas. Live stats and video will be available for the contest.
