Edmond, OK – Men's basketball traveled down to Central Oklahoma. Central Oklahoma is currently ranked No.4 in DII.  
 
The Jets were down 23-16 after the second media timeout, but they fought their way back with help from Stevie strong and Latik Murphy who both put up 10 points in the first half. Stevie Smith also was scoring well, with 7 first half points. Newman shot 45.5% from three, with five threes in the first half. The Jets outscored Central Oklahoma 32-31 going into the half. 
 
Newman came out of halftime and hit first. A three from Murphy put the jets up by 4. The Jets kept attacking and made it a 6-point game with Smith's scoring. However, a technical led to a run from the Bronchos. Central Oklahoma took the lead with 12 minutes to play and never gave up that lead. 
 
Newman kept fighting and clawing their way back in. Scoring from Strong (14), Murphy (7), Smith (6) kept the Jets within striking distance. Newman shot 48.4% from the field in the second half. It was a back-and-forth game, until the fouls put the Bronchos at the free throw line. 
 
The Jets had opportunities to upset No. 4 UCO and pull out an all time classic moment in Newman history as the team wouldn't give UCO an inch of breathing room. The Jets had a firm lead until questionable foul calls started to pile on. The Jets found themselves on the wrong end of the whistle as they would have 35 fouls called on them to UCO's 19. The Jets recorded their 13th foul just 10 minutes into the 2nd half.

Central Oklahoma shot 41 free-throws compared to the Jets 20, which ultimately allowed the Bronchos to pull away and win by 7. 
 
Strong led the Jets with 24 points along with 6 rebounds. 
 
Murphy had 17 points, going 3 for 7 from the three-point line. 
 
 
The Jets are back in action on the road at Missouri Southern on Thursday, January 26^th at 7:30pm.