Games 16 & 17

At Central Missouri (7-8 (2-4 MIAA))
Thursday, January 16th | 7:30 PM | Warrensburg, MO
Video | Live Stats

At No. 1 Washburn (15-0 (6-0))
Saturday, January 18th | 3:00 PM | Topeka, KS
Video | Live Stats


Last Time Out
Men's Basketball hosted their first two games of 2025 last week. On Thursday, they faced the Pittsburg State Gorillas in an overall close matchup that saw the visiting team take the game 86-76. The Jets made up a rough first half by winning the second half 46-45. Despite not being able to get the win, Newman ended the game on a good note getting within five points with less than five minutes to play. Four different Jets scored double digit points, with Sam Somerhalder leading them with a career-high twenty one. With nineteen points, Aaron Murphy set his new career-high scoring mark as a Jet. On Saturday, Newman hosted the Missouri Southern Lions. The Jets earned their first win of 2025 after a very dominant first half that ended with Newman leading by twenty four points. The Lions reacted and fought to cut down the Jets lead in the second half but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback. Boston Stanton III and Deadric Fikes led the Jets in scoring with 17 points. Fikes, who was coming off the bench, also added 8 rebounds, a block, and went 3-3 from the three point line.

Scouting the Jets 
Newman averages 8.3 points per game more than their opponents, with a higher field goal and three point percentage. The Jets are also averaging ten rebounds and 1.2 assists more per game than their rivals. Five different Jets have already passed 100 points, with Stanton III leading the way with 162. The Jets sit in the eighth seed in the MIAA standings with a 3-3 record and tied in wins with four other teams. 

Behind Enemy Lines
The Mules are 2-4 in conference play and have lost their last three games at home. They lost their two games last week against Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State in two very close games. The Mules sit 11th in the MIAA standings with an overall record of 7-8. They have the second lowest points in the conference but they also allow the third lowest amount of points. DeAirius Barker is the Mules leader in offense with 177 points, 31 rebounds, and 25 assists. After facing the Jets on Thursday, they will host Emporia State in another MIAA matchup. 

The Ichabods are ranked No.1 in the country in both the coaches and the media poll. They are undefeated in the season holding a 15-0 overall record and having won all 6 MIAA games. The last time Newman faced a No. 1 ranked team was on January 30th, 2019 when the Jets hosted Northwest Missouri State. Washburn hasn't had any opponents finish a game within 10 points yet this season. Three different Ichabods have already scored over 200 points. Brayden Shorter leads the way with 247 points, 19 steals, 64 rebounds, and 12 assists. The team averages 85.6 points per game, which is the highest in the MIAA, and they allow the second lowest points. 

The Series
The Jets are 2-4 against the Mules. The Jets won their last matchup in December of 2023 with a final 59-58 score. 

The Ichabods hold a 13-2 record in the series against Newman. Their last game was in January of 2024, and the last time Newman won was in 2014 with a final score of 90-79. 

Next Up
The Jets will head back home to host four consecutive MIAA games against Arkansas Fort Smith, Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, and Rogers State.