Game #10

Central Missouri Mules (2-8, 2-8 MIAA) at Newman Jets (2-7, 2-7 MIAA)
Saturday, Jan. 16 • 3:30 P.M. Wichita, Kan. • Fugate Gymnasium
Series Record: Series tied 1-1 Last Meeting: Jan. 6^th, 2020 NU 84 UCM 77 in Wichita, Kan.
Internet Audio: Newmanjets.com/listen Internet Video: themiaanetwork.com/newman
Up Next: at #3 Northwest Missouri • Sat. Jan 23 • 3:30 P.M. • Maryville, Mo.

LAST TIME OUT
The Riverhawks started off the game scoring the first 13 points to take a commanding lead early. Newman would be able to battle back in the first half getting the score as close as seven points on multiple occasions as the Riverhawks would take a 13 point lead, 39-26 into the intermission.  Newman would come out of the break and slowly chip away at the Riverhawks lead. The Jets eventually tied the game up at 58-58 with just over six minutes left in regulation on a layup from Branden Bunn assisted by Joel Boyce. Northeastern State would respond by immediately taking the lead back on the next possession. An Ian Lee old fashioned three point play within one point of the Riverhawks with just over four minutes to go, but NSU would close out the game by knocking down free throws, securing the 82-72 victory over Newman.

THE COACHES
RJ Allen is in his fourth season as the head coach and tenth on the staff for the Jets. Allen is 2-7, 2-7 in the MIAA in his fourth season at Newman. Last season under coach Allen, the Jets went 9-19 and 3-16 in the MIAA.  Allen has led Newman to a 34-23 overall record and a 21-11 Heartland Conference record over his first two seasons. Allen won Heartland Conference Coach of the Year honors in the 2017-18 season, he was the first coach to win the award in their first season. Prior to Newman Allen spent 5 season as an assistant coach at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn.

Doug Karleskint is in his seventh season as head coach of the Central Missouri men's basketball program in 2020-21.  Karleskint's Mules have won 20 or more games three times in six years. His 25 wins in 2014-15 are the most ever for a first-year head coach in program history as the Mules advanced to the second round of the NCAA Regional Championship. Karleskint has also led the Mules to an MIAA Championship game and four MIAA Tournament appearances.

ABOUT THE JETS
Newman is 2-7 on the season, 2-7 in the MIAA.  Newman is led in scoring by Junior guard Branden Bunn at 13.4 points per game.  Joel Boyce leads the Jets in rebounding at 7.1 rebounds per game. 

ABOUT THE MULES
Central Missouri is 2-8 on the season, 2-8 in the MIAA. Central Missouri is led in scoring by Cameron Hunter at 15.0 points per game. Gaven Pinkley leads the Mules in rebounding at 4.8 rebounds per game.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 3^rd meeting between these schools with the series tied 1-1 with the Jets winning the previous matchup last season 84-77 in Wichita, Kansas.

LAST TIME VS CENTRAL MISSOURI
In the first half, Central Missouri (6-7, 1-3) was able to gain their largest lead of the night with 5:37 left to play in the period, 13 points.  Trailing by double digits, the Jets were able to fight back, eventually tying up the game 35-35 at the half.  In the second half, Newman would continue to build on their momentum gained at the end of the first half to get their largest lead of 11 points. From that point, Newman could taste their first MIAA win and never looked back. Allen Wilson sealed the win for the Jets hitting two free throws with 13 seconds left to give the Jets the 84-77 win.

UP NEXT
The Jets will travel to St. Joseph, Missouri to take on #16 Missouri Western on Thursday, Jan. 21 with tip-off at 7:30 PM.

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 is 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 find all things Newman in the Newman Jets Athletics app available in both the App Store and on Google Play.