WICHITA, Kan. — After wrapping up one of the longest roadtrips of the season, the Newman men's basketball team returns home this weekend looking to stay in the Heartland Conference tournament race while taking on Oklahoma Panhandle State Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

SCOUTING NEWMAN

The Jets (11-9, 4-8 Heartland) finished one of their toughest stretches of the season to close the month of January, dropping a heartbreaking 83-78 double-overtime decision to first-place Texas A&M International last Thursday before turning around and facing a hot St. Mary's side Saturday and falling 84-65. James Pegues had one of his best games of the season against TAMIU, putting up 19 points and 14 rebounds for his first double-double, while Gavin Thurman went for 15 and 10 for his own double-double against the Rattlers.

                LEADERS

                Gavin Thurman, Senior-16.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 46.9 FG%, 36.9 3FG%

                James Pegues, Senior-13.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 56.3 FG%, 82.9 FT%, 39.4 3FG%

                Jalen Love, Senior-11.4 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.7 rpg, 1.0 spg

                Cortrael Colbert, Senior-8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg

                Taylor Schieber, Junior-8.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 49.1 FG%, 44.6 3FG%

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The Aggies (8-12, 1-11 Heartland) have been giving opponents cause for concern despite the seven-game losing streak they're currently on. Their last two games are no different, falling by a combined two points to the two hottest teams in the league in Lubbock Christian and Dallas Baptist. Monday against the Patriots, who didn't take the lead until less than three minute remained, Antonio Manns, Jr. went for 35 points and seven rebounds to lead an impressive offensive showing.

                LEADERS

                Antonio Manns, Senior-21.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, 46.3 FG%, 36.5 3FG%, 86.5 FT%

                Zoran Arsenovic, Senior-13.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.2 spg, 41.6 FG%

                Melvin Mitchell, Junior-11.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 spg, 42.0 3FG%

                Marquavius Williams, Senior-8.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg, 46.5 FG%

                Dedrick Shannon, Freshman-6.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.9 spg

HISTORY LESSON

A 114-80 victory by the Jets on Jan. 9 featured a number of impressive performances as the offense scored the most points by a Heartland Conference team in league play since the 2009-10 season. Schieber led six Newman players in double figures with 18, and the Jets shot 64.6 percent as a team. The win was the 10th straight in the series for Newman, who have won 15 of the 17 meetings as conference opponents.

NOTES

-Freshman Christian DeYoung averaged 19.5 minutes last weekend after going for a career-high 15 last two weeks ago in a narrow loss to Arkansas-Fort Smith. He was 3-of-5 from the field — all 3-pointers — in scoring 11 total points over the two days, and added a rebound and an assist against St. Mary's.

-The Jets got to the line in impressive fashion last week, putting up 42 and 35 free throw attempts over the last two games. Making 59 of them helped boost the team to second in the conference and 25th in the country in total makes, while their overall free throw percentage of 74.3 is fourth in the league.

-Despite giving the ball away 18 times against St. Mary's, Newman has been playing clean on offense recently, having 11 or fewer turnovers in each of the previous six games. They'll have to keep that pace up against the Aggies, who are fifth in the nation with 10.5 steals per game and seventh in turnovers, forcing 18.5 per game.

COVERAGE

Thursday's game will be broadcast live on 1410 AM (KGSO) in Wichita, with live video, audio and statistics available at www.newmanjets.com.