WICHITA, Kan. – Thursday night's tail end of the basketball double header in Fugate brought loads of fireworks.  Newman and the Fort Hays State Tiger men played to a three point finish that FHSU found themselves on top of.  The Tigers toppled the Jets 63-60.
 
This game was one both teams were eager to get as the Jets now sit at 4-14 (1-12 MIAA).  Fort Hays State, who received votes in this week's coaches poll, advance to 16-3 (11-3 MIAA).  A win for Newman would have proved extremely beneficial as the Jets push for the playoffs.
 
In the first half, Newman scored 17 points in the first 6 minutes to jump out to a 17-7 lead when Israel Barnes hit his second three of the game at 14:11.  Barnes was just getting started in a career night for the Junior transfer.
FHSU closed the gap in the remainder of the half taking a one point, 29-28, lead into the break.  FHSU was led by Kaleb Hammeke who finished the night with a Tiger best 14 points.

The Jets and Tigers put on a show in the second half.  Both teams ran crisp sets with some scoring runs aided by stiff defense.  No scoring run was good enough for the Jets to retake the lead in a tightly officiated closing moments of the game.  This helped the Tigers escape Wichita with a three point win, proving why they have earned the coaches' votes.

Wichita native, Israel Barnes exploded for career highs in points and three pointers made.  Barnes tallied a staggering 28 points on 6 made threes.  AJ Morris also added a career high as a Jet with 12 points, besting his previous best of 11 points set in his Jet debut.

Newman is back in action Saturday, February 5^th as the Jets take on UNK at 3:30 PM inside Fugate Gymnasium.