Wichita, Kan. – On Saturday afternoon, the Newman Jets played host to the Missouri Western Griffons inside Fugate Gymnasium.  Unfortunately for the Jets, Missouri Western would control the game for the majority of the time and would ultimately defeat the Jets 70-59.

For the second game in a row, Newman struggled offensively as they would go 7-24 from the field in the first half. In the first quarter, Newman kept it close but Missouri Western (15-5, 7-4) went 3-5 from three to gain a 9 point lead, 18-9. In the second quarter Missouri Western continued to knock down shots as they would outscore the Jets 20-14 in the quarter to take a 15 point lead at halftime, 38-23.
 
In the second half, Newman would continue to battle but Missouri Western would have an answer for every basket the Jets would make.  At the end of the third quarter, the Griffons had a 14 point lead, 57-43.  In the fourth quarter, Newman looked to make a comeback and had the game cut down to single digits but were unsuccessful as Missouri Western was able to hold on.

The Jets (9-13, 4-9) shot 22-55 for 40 percent from the floor, 9-of-23 for 39.1 percent from three and 6-of-10 for 60 percent from the free throw line.  Missouri Western shot 28-of-60 for 46.7 percent from the field and 8-of-14 for 57.1 percent from three. Newman was out-rebounded by Missouri Western by 5, 37-32. 


Madison Birnbaum led the Jets in scoring with 13 points and 8 rebounds.  Kaitlyn Potter added 12 points in the Jets loss.

Newman will be back in action as they travel to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State Thursday Feb. 6^th with tip-off slated for 5:30 P.M.