WICHITA, Kan. — Back on a winning streak after sweeping a pair of games last weekend, the Newman men's basketball team looks to continue its climb up the Heartland Conference standings with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against Oklahoma Christian.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets (13-9, 6-8 Heartland) have moved up to seventh place in the league after topping Oklahoma Panhandle State 82-68 last Thursday before getting a bit of revenge with an 84-76 victory over Lubbock Christian, which is tied for fourth in the conference. James Pegues scored 14 points in each of those contests and averaged six rebounds, while Daniel Nwosu and Gavin Thurman each scored in double figures in both games.
LEADERS
Gavin Thurman, Senior-16.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 47.2 FG%, 38.5 3FG%
James Pegues, Senior-13.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 55.6 FG%, 83.6 FT%, 45.0 3FG%
Jalen Love, Senior-10.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg
Cortrael Colbert, Senior-8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg
Taylor Schieber, Junior-8.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 47.9 FG%, 42.5 3FG%
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Eagles (6-16, 3-11 Heartland) have won two of their past three after snapping an eight-game losing streak, busting that skid on the road at Texas A&M International, which has topped the standings for much of the season. Last weekend saw OC fall by five to Lubbock Christian before getting an historic night from John Moon in a 104-92 win over Oklahoma Panhandle Saturday. The junior was 20-of-20 from the field to score 50 points.
LEADERS
John Moon, Junior-22.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.7 bpg, 57.7 FG%
Elijah Strickland, Sophomore-12.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 38.9 3FG%, 81.4 FT%
Jordan Rutherford, Junior-9.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 83.3 FT%
Chiza Ntirata, Senior-5.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 43.9 FG%
Zach Norris, Sophomore-3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 42.9 FG%, 87.5 FT%
HISTORY LESSON
The 72-63 win by the Jets on Jan. 14 was the third straight in the series by Newman. They lead the series 5-2, winning each of the past three by at least nine points. Thurman netted 19 points and 10 rebounds to go with three steals, with three others adding double-figure points for the Jets a month ago. Moon led the Eagles with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
NOTES
-Thurman is top-six in the conference in both scoring and rebounding, joining Moon as the only two players that can make that claim. The senior has scored in double figures in all but three games this season, including 15 of the past 16.
-The Jets are 26th in the country with a plus-3.3 turnover margin, and are playing some of their cleanest games of the season recently. Newman has forced more turnovers than it committed in seven of their past nine games, and was plus-12 over its two wins last weekend.
-Moon's performance on Saturday set numerous conference records and tied two NCAA records. The junior now holds the Heartland marks for most points, most field goals and highest field goal percentage in a game. He tied a 32-year-old record at Division II for most consecutive field goals in a game and single-game field goal percentage.
COVERAGE
Thursday's game will be broadcast live on 1410 AM (KGSO) in Wichita, with live audio and statistics available at www.newmanjets.com.
