Game #26

Emporia State Hornets (19-5, 12-3 MIAA) at Newman Jets (9-16, 4-12 MIAA)
Thursday, Feb. 20th • 5:30 P.M. Wichita, Kan. • Fugate Gymnasium
Series Record: ESU leads series 5-2 Last Meeting: Jan. 22, 2020 NU 64, vs ESU 93 in Emporia, Kan.
Internet Audio: Newmanjets.com/listen Internet Video: themiaanetwork.com/newman
Up Next: Nebraska-Kearney • Thursday, Feb. 27 • 5:30 P.M. • Wichita, Kan.

LAST TIME OUT
Newman came out firing on all cylinders in the opening period as they would put up 21 points in the quarter behind 6 from Kaitlyn Potter and 5 from Abbey George. Trailing by 8 going into the second period, the Bronchos (17-7, 11-5) would be able to get the Jets lead down to 3 multiple times in the quarter, but Newman was able to build it back to a 6 point game heading into the break. Potter would score 10 points in the quarter to lead all scorers with 16 at the half. UCO's offense would get better as the game would go on, scoring more in every quarter than the previous.  Despite Newman being able to match their largest lead of 8 early in the third, the Bronchos would come out of the intermission on fire. Central Oklahoma would go on a 14-7 run in the final 6 minutes of the third, taking their first lead of the game at one point, but the Jets would hold on to a one point lead heading into the final period. Newman would extend the lead back to three to begin the fourth quarter, but UCO would respond with a basket of their own to cut it back down to 1 point. That would lead to the eventual final lead change when the Bronchos would make a three point basket to take a 2 point lead with 8:10 remaining. Central Oklahoma would be able to get the largest lead for either team at 11 points with 4 minutes left to play. Newman would then go on a 7-0 run to make it a two possession game with just over a minute left in regulation. After 2 Broncho free throws, a Madison Birnbaum three would make it a 3 point game with 57 second left. The Bronchos would only miss one free throw down the stretch as they were able to hold on for an 8 point victory over the Jets, 68-60.

THE COACHES
Darin Spence is in his eighth season as the Jets head coach, leading the Jets to a 9-16 record so far in the 2019-20 season. Spence has compiled a 569-317 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 9-16 on the season, 4-12 in their first season in the MIAA. Newman has one player averaging double digits this season, Kaitlyn Potter at 16.9 points per game.  Abbey George leads the Jets in rebounding at 4.5 rebounds per game. 

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 19-5 on the season, 12-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets are led by Redshirt Freshman guard Tre'Zure Jobe at 17.4 points per game.  Morgan Laudan leads the team in rebounding at 5.2 per game.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the eighth meeting between these schools with Emporia State leading the series 5-2 with the latest matchup being Jan. 22, 2020 in Emporia, Kan. Where Emporia State knocked off the Jets 93-64.

LAST TIME VS EMPORIA STATE
Newman would fall behind early in the game as Emporia State (13-4, 6-2) would go 6-9 from three in the first quarter to take a 29-16 lead after one quarter of play.  Emporia State would start the second quarter on a 6-0 run with two 3 point baskets to gain their largest lead of the half at 19 points.  In the third quarter, Newman was able to cut the deficit to 13 points with 6:40 left in the quarter thanks to a basket by Bailey Hawkins.  Every time Newman would go on a run to get back in the game Emporia State would answer with a three point basket.  Emporia State would be able to hold in the fourth and beat the Jets 93-64.

UP NEXT
The Jets will return to action Thursday, Feb. 27^th, 2020 as they host Nebraska-Kearney with tip-off slated for 5:30 P.M. for another MIAA conference matchup

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!