CLAREMORE, Okla. - Newman Basketball held on to a lead against Rogers State for almost the entire game, but was taken from them in the dying stages of the game, were free throws came at a premium. 

Newman, while troubling Northeastern State on Thursday, did not lead at any point despite some long scoring runs and Latik Murphy finishing with a career high thirty points. 

Starting the game on an explosive 11-4 run, the Jets looked as if they might run away with the lead early. Points in the paint from Thomas Zevgaras and three point shooting from Latik Murphy gave Newman a dominant lead, as they were one step ahead of the Hillcats. 

Whenever the Hillcats would come within a possession or two, Newman would respond with several big plays to reaffirm their status. Sam Somerhalder was a big part of the dominance as he scored six points in one minute near the end of the first half. 

Four points from Kaeson Fisher-Brown in the final forty-five seconds gave Newman a commanding fourteen point lead at the half. 

A momentum shift occurred after halftime, when the Hillcats went on a 13-2 run. Newman would not score it's first field goal until Devin Walker scored eight minutes into the half. 

Even with not scoring in the opening part of the half, the Jets still held on to their lead they had since the beginning of the game. 

Rogers State took their first lead as they continued to shut Newman down in open play, but it would not last for long as another Zevgaras layup tied the game. 

The two teams would continue to trade the lead, but eventually Rogers State took their biggest lead of the day with just about five minutes remaining. 

A Boston Stanton III tied the game with only fifty seconds remaining, but a quick basket from the Hillcats and trips to the free throw line gave them a late win taken from Newman, 67-63. 

Fisher-Brown finished with a team high fifteen points, following up a sixteen point performance on Thursday against Northeastern State. 

Jacob Joe had some clutch baskets in the second half, and would score four three points in the game. 

The Jets will host their final home game of the season next Thursday, hosting Missouri Western for homecoming at 7:30 PM.