SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — After starting the season dropping the first two games, the Newman University men's basketball team extended their win streak to four straight games Friday afternoon (Nov. 23) at the Drury Classic. The Jets used a late surge in the second half defeating Missouri S&T 88-81, improving to 4-2 on the season, while the Miners drop to 2-3 on the season.

Newman came out firing on all cylinders to begin Friday's contest jumping out quickly to a 12 point lead with 11:42 to play in the first half. Dametrius Walker and Marshawn Blackmon combined for 12 of the first 20 Newman points. The Jets defense held the Miners to four of 14 from the field to begin the game, however the Miners offense quickly warmed up knotting the score up at 27-27 with 5:01 to play.

The Jets continued to control the lead for the rest of the first half, however the Miners continued to grind back matching the Jets each time. The two teams headed into the locker room all square at 43-43.

Much like the beginning of the game, the Jets began the second half on a 10-2 run, sparked by 3-pointers from guards Ben Ayre and Juwan Davenport. Missouri S&T continued to answer regaining the lead, 60-59 with 14:21 to play for the first time since 18:31 left in the first half. The Aggies controlled the lead for the next eight minutes extending their lead to as many as seven at 70-63.

The Jets continued to battle back regaining the lead for good with just under seven minutes remaining.

Blackmon led the Jets for the sixth consecutive game, notching his third double-double of the season, scoring a game high 25 points, pulling down 12 boards. Ben Ayre, Juwan Davenport and Dametrius Walker all reached double digits in scoring.

The Jets will finish the Drury Classic tomorrow afternoon (Nov. 24) at 3:15 p.m. against the host school Drury University. The Panthers fell Friday evening (Nov. 23) 83-78 to Upper Iowa.