WICHITA, Kan. – Newman picked up its first win in MIAA play over Northeastern State Saturday afternoon.  The Jets put a solid 40 minute performance together to take down the RiverHawks 75-66.

Newman advances to 4-10 (1-8 MIAA) which matches their win total from the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 campaign.  The RiverHawks fall to 8-7 (3-6 MIAA) with their loss in Wichita.

The Jets and NSU played a tightly contested first half to 30-29.  The Jets were playing inspired ball early on. Midway through the first frame the RiverHawks went on a quick 9-0 run taking a 20-12 lead.  Head Coach R.J. Allen has been pushing the right buttons this week because his team responded holding NSU to 9 points from the under 10 media timeout while exploding for 18 as a team.

In the second half, Stevie Strong took over.  With just 7 points at the break, the Freshman scored 22 second half points including 13 in a row culminating with a dagger three from near the mid court logo that deflated the NSU sideline.  Strong finished with 29 points shooting 5-10 from three and 11-17 from the field in total.  29 is a new career high for Strong.

Along with Strong's 29, Ian Lee scored 16 points including 3-5 from deep.  Israel Barnes scored 13 along with reigning in a team best 8 rebounds.

The team was also lifted by 23 minutes off the bench from AJ Morris.  The Graduate Student scored 7 points, tied the team lead with Lee with 4 assists on the night and 6 rebounds.

A day filled with energy seems as if the team is turning the corner, figuring out rotations and growing into individual roles.  R.J. Allen and his team will look forward to the start of classes on January 10^th and a pair of road contests beginning with a trip to Lincoln University on Thursday, January 13^th.  Tipoff is slated for 7:30 PM.