PITTSBURG, Kan. — Roaring back after trailing for a large portion of the second half, the Newman men's basketball team took the lead late but saw Pittsburg State rally and regain the lead, holding on for an 84-76 victory Tuesday night.

KEY SEQUENCE

The Jets (0-3) shot out to a 74-70 lead thanks to baskets from Malik Abdur-Rahim and Daniel Nwosu that capped off a 23-7 run that pushed them ahead with 3:56 to play against the Gorillas (1-2). After slowly sliding back into the lead, Pitt State hit a big 3-pointer to stretch the lead to six and hold on.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-A quick 5-1 start for the hosts didn't last long, as a Taylor Schieber jumper and two free throws from Pierre Hayden tied things up less than four minutes in. Nwosu's steal followed up by a basket gave the Jets their first lead at 7-5.

-The teams traded leads over the next few minutes, with Abdur-Rahim sinking a 3-pointer to put Newman ahead 11-10. An 8-0 run by the Gorillas sprang them ahead as the opening half reached the midway point.

-Pitt State's lead grew and shrunk for the entire middle half of the game, getting as large as 12 at 63-51 just under the 11-minute mark of the second half before the Jets started their climb back into the contest.

-It didn't take long for Newman to slash that lead back to single digits, as Schieber buried a triple on the next possession to make it a nine-point game. Christian DeYoung followed with a pair of free throws to make it 63-56 before the clock dipped under 10 minutes.

-Two buckets from Nwosu and a put-back out of Jacob Birnbaum brought the lead down to one possession for the first time since near the midway point of the first half at 65-62 with 8:03 to play. Pitt State turned it back into a 69-64 margin.

-Nwosu sank a jumper, Abdur-Rahim added another, and Hayden put down a pair of free throws to give the Jets the lead at 70-69 before the wild final minutes.

LEADERS

Newman
Points: Nwosu 18. Rebounds: Kevin Bryant 9. Assists: Hayden 3. Steals: Four with 1. Blocks: Daniel Green 1.

Pittsburg State
Points: Jones 20. Rebounds: Edmondson 15. Assists: Phelps 4. Steals: Two with 1. Blocks: Two with 1.

NOTES

-The Jets enjoyed a 24-of-30 night from the free throw line, putting up 11 more attempts and sinking 10 more freebies than the Gorillas.

-Nwosu finished 7-of-14 from the field for his team-high 18 points.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Jets head home to Wichita for their home opener, hosting Manhattan Christian Friday night at Fugate Gymnasium.