WICHITA, Kan. – The Newman University men's basketball team cruised in their final non-conference game Tuesday evening (Jan. 8), winning 91-55 over Kansas Wesleyan. The Jets improve to 10-4 on the year extending their winning streak to six straight games, the most since the 2012-2013 season when the Jets won nine straight to open the season. It's also the best start to a season for the Jets through their first 14 games dating back to the 2015-2016 season when they also started the season 10-4.
After having 10 straight days off since their previous game, the Jets showed early signs turning the ball over while missing open shots, despite leading early 7-6 just four minutes into the contest. Junior forward, Marshawn Blackmon got the defense and offense going just before the midway point of the first half with a steal and layup on the other end leading to six straight points of his own for the Jets, 22-17.
After a Coyotes layup with 7:16 left in the first half cutting the Jets lead down to one, the offense caught some momentum with a fast break layup from DeAndre Johnson concluding a 7-0 run putting some distance on the Jets lead, 29-21 with 6:07 to play in the half. Late in the first half, Newman picked up the defensive pressure with a full court press causing havoc, forcing four of the Coyotes nine turnovers in the first half. The Jets took a 41-26 lead into the break closing the half on a 7-0 run.
In the second half the Jets full court pressure was too much for the Coyotes as steals continued to come for the Jets leading to a quick 4-0 run to open the half. The Jets defensive intensity continued leading to easy offense on the other end going on a 38-9 run in the final 14 minutes. The Jets cruised easily down the final minutes closing the non-conference schedule with an impressive 91-55 win.
Newman's offense was sparked in the second half by the bench as they scored 37 of the Jets 50 second half points. Anthony Harvey Jr. led the Jets in scoring for the second half finishing with seven total points in just nine minutes of play.
All 15 players scored for the first time this season for the Jets. Dametrius Walker and Marshawn Blackmon each finished with 13 points leading the way for the Jets. Juwan Davenport collected 12 points in just 19 minutes of play. Tyjil Hereford led the Jets in assists, dishing out a team high six. Henry Beard also dished out four assists in just 12 minutes of play.
The Jets get back into conference play as they head to Claremore, Oklahoma to take on Rogers State Thursday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m.
