WICHITA, Kan. – The Jets returned to action as they hosted Nebraska-Kearney Thursday night inside Fugate Gymnasium.  Unfortunately for the Jets, they would fall to the Lopers 66-64.

In the first half, Nebraska-Kearney (16-11, 10-8) would score the first five points of the game to take an early lead.  An Allen Wilson Three Point Basket would stop the run.  Both teams would exchange baskets until another Allen Wilson three point basket would give the Jets their first lead of the game, 12-10 with 13:15 left.  After that basket, both team would continue going back and forth with neither team gaining much of an advantage. The largest lead for Newman in the first half was 4 points on a couple of occasions. With the score tied at 28, the Lopers would end the first half on a 5-2 run to gain a three point lead at the intermission, 33-30.   

In the second half, Newman would get the first basket with a Kaleb Allison layup.  After that basket, UNK would control the game as they would stretch the lead to 9 points with 16:25 left. With 10:59 left and the score 49-41 in favor of the Lopers, Newman would be able to cut the deficit to four before UNK would go on a 5-0 run to get it back to 9 at the 9:12 mark, 54-45. After that, Newman would go on a 10-4 run, bringing the deficit to three with 3:25 left, 58-55.  Both teams would exchange baskets with Newman gaining their first lead of the second half, 63-62, with 1:44 left when Marshawn Blackmon would get a steal and a breakaway dunk that would get the crowd into the game. With the game tied at 64 and the Jets inbounding the ball, UNK would steal the inbounds pass and get fouled, sending them to the free throw line with a chance to take the lead. The Lopers would hit both free throws to go up 66-64. The Jets would get one more possession, but couldn't get anything to fall as the Lopers would hold off the Jets for the 66-64. 

Newman (9-18, 3-15) shot 23-of-55 from the floor for 41.8 percent, 3-of-13 from three for 23.1 percent and 15-of-18 from the free throw line for 83.3 percent. While Nebraska-Kearney shot 25-of-56 for 44.6 percent, and 6-of-20 from 3 for 30 percent. The Jets out-rebounded the Lopers by 6, 37-31.

Marshawn Blackmon led all scorers with 29 points and 5 rebounds in the Jets loss.

Newman will return to action Saturday, Feb. 29^th as they host Fort Hays State for the final regular season MIAA matchup and Senior Day with tip-off slated for 3:30 P.M.