WICHITA, Kan. – On Saturday afternoon, the Newman Jets continued their homestand as they hosted Fort Hays State looking for another MIAA Conference Win inside Fugate Gymnasium. This game was a close back and forth affair but the Jets were unable to get the win in this one as Fort Hays State would defeat the Jets in Wichita 81-75.
The Tigers would start this game on a 10-4 run before the Jets would go on a 9-0 run to gain a 13-10 lead with 10:30 left in the first half. Both teams would then exchange baskets and the Jets would have a 6 point lead after a jumper by
Ian Lee to have a 25-19 lead with 6:24 left in the first half. With the Jets leading by 5 with 3:04 left in the first half, the Tigers would end the first half on a 9-0 run to take a 4 point lead going into intermission, 35-31.
Early in the second half, the Jets would get their biggest lead of the game after a fast break dunk by
Joel Boyce put the Jets up by seven points with 14:41 left in regulation. After FHSU fought back into the game and a few lead changes,
Ian Lee would give the Jets the lead back with a three point basket 63-62 with 2:45 left. Fort Hays State would then score the next five points to gain a 4 point lead with 1:54 left, 67-63.
Joel Boyce would make a couple free throws to cut the Tigers lead to two and after Fort Hays St. made one of two free throws,
Joel Boyce would make a huge three point basket to tie the game at 68 with 27 seconds left. The Tigers had a chance to end the game with a free throw, but would miss it sending the game to overtime.
In the overtime, neither team was gaining much separation with the biggest lead being five in favor of Fort Hays State. The Jets missed crucial shots down the stretch as the Tigers would come into Wichita and leave victorious, 81-75.
Newman (1-4, 1-4) shot 27-65 from the floor for 41.5 percent, 7-21 from three for 33.3 percent and 14-20 from the free throw line for 70.0 percent. While Fort Hays State shot 31-58 for 53.4 percent, and 6-18 from 3 for 33.3 percent. The Jets were out-rebounded by the Tigers by 3, 37-34.
Joel Boyce led the Jets in scoring with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Ian Lee added 16 points and 2 rebounds in the Jets loss.
Newman will conclude their homestand on Saturday, December 19
th as they host Central Oklahoma with tip-off at 3:30 PM.
