Game #19

Newman Jets (9-9, 4-5) at #15 Emporia State Hornets (12-4, 5-2 MIAA)
Wednesday, Jan. 22nd • 5:30 P.M. Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series Record: ESU leads series 4-2 Last Meeting: Dec. 1, 2018 NU 64, vs ESU 82 in Emporia, Kan.
Internet Audio: Newmanjets.com/listen Internet Video: themiaanetwork.com/newman
Up Next: Washburn • Saturday, Jan. 25 • 1:00 P.M. • Topeka, Kan.

LAST TIME OUT
Newman would start the game on a 7-0 run to get an early lead.  The Jets would dominate the first half outscoring Northeastern State (4-12, 2-7) 28-19, thanks to their outside shooting. The Jets went 3-5 from 3 point range in the first half compared to Northeastern State's 1-11. Newman in the first half, shot 12-24 from the field to help contribute to the 9 point lead at the break.  The Jets bench also outscoring the Riverhawks 34-21.  In the fourth quarter, the Jets would have their largest lead of the game at 16 points thanks to a basket by Abbey George with 9:22 left.  The Riverhawks were able to make things interesting in the fourth quarter. They would outscore the Jets 26-18 in the final quarter. NSU would cut the deficit to five points with 1:01 remaining, but Newman was able to hold the lead and get the 59-53 win over the Northeastern State. The Jets bench outscored the Riverhawks 34-21.

THE COACHES
Darin Spence is in his eighth season as the Jets head coach, leading the Jets to a 9-9 record so far in the 2019-20 season. Spence has compiled a 569-310 record as a head women's basketball coach over a 28-year span across NCAA Division I and Division II, NAIA, and NJCAA schools. His seven years with the Jets have seen him amass a record of 113-96 overall and a 59-53 mark in Heartland Conference play. Under Spence's tenure, the Jets reached the Heartland Conference tournament in six of his seven seasons. Before coming to Newman, Spence spent one season at Barton Community College and eight seasons at Division I New Mexico State.

Toby Wynn is entering his second season as Lady Hornet Head Coach.  In his first season, Coach Wynn led the Lady Hornets to a 22-9 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament (the 20th appearance in the last 23 years for the Lady Hornet Program). Coach Wynn coached All-American, Central Region First Team and First Team All-MIAA performer Tyra Jones, along with the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year Jessica Wayne.

ABOUT THE JETS
Newman is 9-9 on the season, 4-5 in their first season in the MIAA. Newman has one player averaging double digits this season, Kaitlyn Potter at 17.6 points per game.  Abbey George leads the Jets in rebounding at 4.4 rebounds per game. 

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 12-4 on the season, 5-2 in the MIAA. The Hornets are led by Redshirt Freshman guard Tre'Zure Jobe at 17.1 points per game.  Jessica Wayne leads the team in rebounding at 5.0 per game.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh meeting between these schools with Emporia State leading the series 4-2 with the latest matchup being Dec. 1, 2018 in Emporia, Kan. Where Emporia State knocked off the Jets 82-64.

LAST TIME VS EMPORIA STATE
In the first quarter, the Jets started off with a good offensive showing scoring back and forth with the Hornets with contribution coming from DeDe Johnson, Bria DeGrate, and Braxtyn Stewart. The Jets would end the quarter down by four looking to make their way back later in the game.  In the middle of the second quarter, the Jets found themselves down by eight after a Johnson jump shot. Newman was continuing to get a contribution from their role players throughout the game but would fall behind going into the half.  At the start of the second half, the Jets came out firing on all cylinders cutting the Emporia lead to nine after a Rylee Meloy free throw. The Hornets would fire back on Newman increasing their lead but the Jets weren't going away after a three-pointer from DeGrate and a free throw from Michaela Mack the Jets were looking to finish the game strong.  In the fourth quarter, Newman was looking to make a strong comeback after a solid showing from the team, the Jets were able to cut the Hornet lead to eleven after a Kaitlyn Potter three. Later in the quarter, Stewart would give the Jets more life with a three of her own but the Jets fell just short falling to the Hornets on the road.  The Jets finished with three players in double figures, Dede Johnson finished with 15 points and Bria DeGrate and Braxtyn Stewart finished with 10 points each. Abbey George and Haley Albers finished with the team-high in rebounds with seven and eight. The Jets were locked in a battle with the Hornets but came up short in the battle falling 82-64.

UP NEXT
The Jets will travel to Topeka, Kan. to take on Washburn University for another MIAA conference matchup on Saturday, Jan. 25th, 2020 starting at 1:00 P.M.

LISTEN, WATCH & FOLLOW LIVE
Video streams for all of Newman's regular season contests are available on a pay per view basis on the MIAA Network. Events are available live and are immediately archived for on-demand viewing at the conclusion of the event at www.themiaanetwork.com/newman and on the MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. Listen along to all of the Newman Jets games on The Jets Audio Network with Blake Cripps on the call at newmanjets.com/listen. You can now find all things Newman in the Newman Jets Athletics app available in both the App Store and on Google Play. For all of your Newman Jets Athletics apparel needs visit nujetsgear.com!