DALLAS — A pair of big runs sank the Newman men's basketball team in its regular season road finale, as the Jets fell 104-74 at Dallas Baptist in Heartland Conference action Saturday afternoon.

KEY SEQUENCE

The Jets (8-17, 6-10 Heartland) took an early lead, but the Patriots (17-9, 11-5 Heartland) answered by scoring the next 10 points, starting a hot-shooting first half that put them in the lead for good.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-Christian DeYoung nailed 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions in the first minute to get the Jets out to a hot start and a 6-2 lead, but DBU followed with a pair of 3-pointers of their own, and added two more baskets to make it a 12-6 advantage, and the lead was never fewer than four the rest of the way.

-The two sides traded baskets over the next two minutes, but with the score 20-14, the hosts broke out on another 10-0 run that pushed the lead into double digits for the first time by the midway point of the first half.

-Newman cut into that lead as the opening half continued, with Daniel Nwosu Jr. netting a layup and Jacob Birnbaum sinking a 3-pointer to make it 35-24 at the 9:04 mark. The Patriots scored the next nine points though, and closed the half on a 25-14 run.

-DBU scored the first five points of the second half to open the lead up to 27, but the Jets answered with a Nwosu triple to keep it there. Both teams went on small runs the rest of the half as the Patriots maintained their lead.

LEADERS

Newman
Points: Daniel Nwosu Jr. 21. Rebounds: Jacob Birnbaum 6. Assists: Kevin Bryant 4. Steals: Nwosu 3. Blocks: Birnbaum 3.

Dallas Baptist
Points: Patrick Burke 25. Rebounds: JT Harris 6. Assists: Julian Miranda 14. Steals: Miranda 4. Blocks: 3 with 1.

NOTES

-Nwosu's 21 points was his 10th 20-point effort of his senior season. Thirteen came in the second half as the Jets tried to mount a comeback. Kevin Bryant added 10 points to go with four rebounds and four assists, and Taylor Schieber posted 11 points.

-Despite the loss, the Jets locked up a spot in the Heartland Conference postseason for the second straight season by virtue of Arkansas-Fort Smith's victory over Oklahoma Christian Saturday. Newman could move up to seventh with the right circumstances next week.

WHAT'S NEXT

Newman comes home for its final action at Fugate Gymnasium this season, hosting St. Mary's on homecoming Thursday evening.