WICHITA, Kan. — Fresh off a win to finish its nonconference season, the Newman men's basketball team jumps into Heartland Conference play this weekend, hosting St. Edward's and Oklahoma Christian at Fugate Gymnasium.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets (2-7, 0-0 Heartland) picked up their most impressive victory of the season in their final nonconference game, topping Kansas Christian 94-45 Thursday evening. Kevin Bryant led the way with 17 points and a school-record 21 rebounds, while four players total found their way into double digits in scoring.
LEADERS
Daniel Nwosu-15.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 15 stl, 40.0 FG%, 82.5 FT%
Taylor Schieber-12.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 100.0 FT%
Pierre Hayden-9.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 10 stl
Kevin Bryant-7.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 7 stl, 2 blk, 46.7 FG%
Daniel Green-7.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4 blk, 53.8 FG%, 75.0 FT%
SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS (Saturday, 3 p.m.)
St. Edward's (8-5, 0-0 Heartland) fell in its final nonconference tune-up to Texas A&M-Kingsville, 74-71 on Saturday. That came after the Hilltoppers won three of four in convincing fashion, all at home. Ramir Burton and James Taylor combined for 38 points against TAMU-K.
LEADERS
Ramir Burton-16.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 12 stl, 50.0 FG%
John Gramlich-13.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 12 stl, 41.5 FG%, 84.4 FT%
James Taylor-13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 50.8 FG%
Ethan Gilbert-12.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 19 stl, 47.5 FG%, 42.3 3FG%
Cory McKendree-7.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 12 stl, 14 blk, 56.9 FG%
SCOUTING THE EAGLES (Monday, 3 p.m.)
Oklahoma Christian (4-3, 0-0 Heartland) has won four of its last five games to enter conference play on a hot streak. The Eagles' latest came in an 81-67 win over Central Christian Saturday in which John Moon shot 12-of-16 from the floor for a game-high 26 points, and added 15 rebounds.
LEADERS
John Moon-18.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 22 blk, 71.6 FG
Keilan Horton-13.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 9 stl, 46.4 FG%, 90.0 FT%
Dorian Lopez-12.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, 51.9 FG%, 45.8 3FG%, 84.0 FT%
Elijah Strickland-8.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 85.7 FT%
Marcus Mathieu-7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
HISTORY LESSON
Newman turned back St. Edward's with a dramatic 71-70 victory on Senior Day last season to snap a short skid against the Hilltoppers. Jalen Love sank a pair of free throws with 6.8 seconds left for the win. St. Edward's holds an 11-7 advantage in the series.
A pair of victories last year, including an 18-point win on the road, pushed the Jets' winning streak against Oklahoma Christian to four straight games. Newman has won six of the eight games played between the two sides.
NOTES
-Bryant has now broken Newman's Division II-era single-game rebounding record twice this season. The junior went for 18 boards in an 82-76 win over Manhattan Christian on Nov. 18, then one-upped his own mark with 21 against Kansas Christian, which sits as the fourth-best total in a game this season in all of Division II.
-St. Edward's features four players averaging at least 12 ppg, helping it to 81.8 per game as a team. The Hilltoppers have scored 90 in five of their eight wins.
-Oklahoma Christian has a tough defense, allowing opponents to convert on just 40.7 percent of their field goal attempts, which is the top number in the Heartland Conference. Despite that, the Eagles still allow 75.6 points per game, which is just seventh-best in the league.
COVERAGE
Both games will feature live video, audio and statistics at www.newmanjets.com. The games will also be broadcast live on KGSO (93.9 FM, 1410 AM) in Wichita.
