KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Newman men's basketball team survived an overtime thriller Saturday afternoon (Dec. 29) defeating Rockhurst 85-81. The Jets improve to 9-4 on the season while the Hawks fall to 6-5 on the year.
After a five minute delay just 1:20 into the contest due to game clock and shot clock issues, the Jets caught fire from outside knocking down three early three pointers gaining an early 11-6 lead with 15:36 to play early in the first half. The Jets' offense quickly disappeared going scoreless over a stretch of 4:14, as the Hawks gained their first lead of the game, 13-11 on a 7-0 run just before the midway point of the first half.
Just under ten-minutes to play in the first half, the Jets used a 10-0 run after five straight points from senior guard Ben Ayre and five straight points from forward Marshawn Blackmon jumping the Jets back in front, 25-19. Despite going scoreless over the final 1:39 to end the half, the Jets headed into the locker room leading 36-31.
After a slow start to open the second half, the Hawks regained the lead 39-36 after an 8-0 run. The Hawks jumped out to their largest lead, 56-50 just before the midway point of the second half hitting their tenth, three pointer of the game.
Newman continued to battle cutting the Rockhurst lead down to one point, three different times but the Hawks continued to stay hot from behind the arch answering back with a 6-0 run, regaining the lead 68-66.
Junior, Juwan Davenport nailed his fourth, three-pointer of the game putting the Jets back in front, 69-68 with 1:57 to play. The Jets continued to lead 71-70 after Ayre converted both free throws with 31 seconds left.
After a Hawks turnover, the Jets turned it back over after a controversial traveling call along with a technical foul called on Ayre. The Hawks regained the lead hitting four straight free throws after the technical taking a 74-71 lead with 15 seconds left. Despite the Hawks having momentum, the Jets were not finish as Ayre drilled his third, three pointer of the game forcing overtime.
In the overtime period the Hawks gained the early momentum scoring the first points in the extra frame. The Jets stormed back with a 6-0 run regaining the lead, 82-78 with 1:14 to play. Senior, Dametrius Walker put the icing on the cake hitting one of two free throws with 8 seconds left guiding the Jets to their fifth straight win 85-81.
Four Jets finished in double digit scoring led by Blackmon who recorded his seventh double-double of the season recording 22 points, 17 rebounds. Ayre ties a season high with 21 points while dishing out six assists. Davenport adds in 16 points knocking down four three pointers. Tim Troussell finishes with 11 setting a new season high.
Jets will return back to action Tues. (Jan. 8) against Kansas Wesleyan. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan.
