WICHITA, Kan. — Coming off a tough loss Saturday the Newman men's basketball team will look to bounce back with the start of conference play. The Jets will look to keep good pace within the conference as they take on Rogers State and Arkansas Fort-Smith. The Jets have shown upside already defeating two conference foes earlier in the season.

SCOUNTING NEWMAN

The Jets (5-7, 2-0 Heartland) came out of their long break to take on Rockhurst in a nonconference matchup Saturday the teams fought back and forth but the Hawks were able to come away with a close victory 84-80. Despite the loss, the Jets are currently tied for first in the conference looking to keep that momentum going.

Leaders
Ben Ayre-13.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 34.1 FG%
Dametrius Walker-13.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 48.7 FG%
Kevin Bryant-9.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 57.8 FG%
Andre Sands-9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 44.6 FG%

SCOUTING THE HILLCATS

The Hillcats (9-4, 0-1 Heartland) are coming into this weekend with a 1-1 record in their short nonconference schedule, the Hillcats took on Cameron University on December 19th winning that matchup 88-72 at home. The team then took on Central Oklahoma Saturday and would lose that matchup 68-53 in Claremore, Oklahoma. The Hillcats currently hold the sixth spot in the Heartland going into the weekend.

Leaders
Baron Smith Jr.-15.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 43.9 FG%
Brewster Peacock-9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.4 apg, 43.8 FG%
Saint Hilaire-9.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 44.9 FG%
Tate Turner-9.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 47.1 FG%

SCOUTING THE LIONS

The Lions (13-0, 2-0 Heartland) are coming off two nonconference games going 1-1 in them the first was an exhibition against Colorado State on December 19 the Lions losing that matchup 87-73. The Lions then traveled to Monticello, Arkansas to take on Arkansas-Monticello and would win a close game 90-84. The Lions are currently tied for first in the Heartland going into this weekend's matchups.    

                Leaders
                Darrion Strong-Moore-16.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 50.4 FG%
                DeVaunta Thomas-13.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 47.2 FG%
                Ladarius Coleman-12.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 52.4 FG%
                Kyree Elder-10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 49.5 FG%

NOTES

-Ayre currently sits in fifth place in the conference in assists averaging 4.5 on the season.

-The Jets will look to keep their hot streak going in conference looking to stay ahead of pace and keep pushing deeper into conference.

GAME COVERAGE

For Coverage and live stats of this weekend's action please visit www.newmanjets.com.