WICHITA, Kan. – After completing its nonconference schedule early this week, the Newman men's basketball team got back out on the court to start Heartland Conference play Saturday afternoon against St. Edward's and won a 108-98 shootout.
 
KEY SEQUENCE
 
The Jets (3-7, 1-0 Heartland) were on fire throughout the game, shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from three and 85.2 percent from the foul line against the Hilltoppers (8-6, 0-1 Heartland), along with capitalizing on a big 14-1 run in the first half, which helped maintain a comfortable lead throughout the rest of the game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
-Newman would get on the scoreboard first with a layup from Daniel Green and Taylor Schieber would come back down the court on the next possession and hit a 3-pointer to get out to a quick 5-0 start.
 
-Schieber would nail back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Jets an 11-7 lead followed by five-straight made free throws from Kevin Bryant to put the score at 16-10 with 14:13 to play in the first half.
 
-A Christian DeYoung 3-pointer followed by another Schieber 3-pointer would put Newman out in front 22-16 with 11:12 left in the first half.
 
-The Jets would go on a 14-1 run starting at 8:22 mark and ending with 5:46 remaining on the clock in the first half. Jacob Birnbaum led the way during the run scoring four points, while Allen Wilson and Pierre Hayden added three points and Daniel Nwosu Jr. and Bryant chipped in two points each.
 
-The Hilltoppers would cut the Newman lead to ten points at 42-42, 43-43 and 48-48 in the first half but Bryant would end the half by going on a 6-0 run of his own to give the Jets a 54-38 lead heading into halftime.
 
-A Green 3-pointer would be the first points for the Jets in the second half, Bryant would capitalize on a layup on the next possession to put the score at 59-42 early in the second half.
 
-St. Edward's would get within ten points again but Newman would answer with a quick 5-0 run with a layup and a pair of made free throws from Nwosu Jr. and a free throw from Hayden to make it 68-53 with 14:23 in regulation.  
 
-The Hilltoppers would go on an 11-1 run and only trail by eight points with 7:27 to play in the second half. Two made free throws from Green and Schieber would get the Jet lead back above 10 with 7:04 to play.
 
-A 6-0 run for Newman with two Bryant free throws and one from Schieber, along with a big DeYoung 3-pointer gave the Jets a 96-82 lead with 3:24 left in the game.
 
-Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch made the final score 108-98 and gave the Jets their first conference victory of the season.
 
LEADERS
 
Newman
Points: Schieber, 24. Assists: Schieber, 4. Rebounds: Bryant, 12. Blocks: Nwosu Jr., Birnbaum, 1. Steals: Nwosu Jr., Bryant, 1.
 
St. Edward's
Points: John Gramlich, 26. Assists: Ramir Burton, 3. Rebounds: Ethan Gilbert, 7. Blocks: Kraig Shields, 1. Steals: Ethan Gilbert, 3.
 
NOTES
 
-Schieber set a career-high in points with 24 points. His previous career high was 23 points that came against Texas Permian Basin on Dec. 19, 2015.
 
-In back-to-back games now Bryant has recorded a double-double. He scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds after recording 17 points and a school-record 21 boards.
 
-Newman broke the school's Division II-era record in free throws made and free throws attempted in a game. The Jets shot a total of 54 free throws and cashed in on 46 of them.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Jets host Oklahoma Christian at Fugate Gymnasium on Monday, starting at 3 p.m.