Games 18 & 19

vs Arkansas-Fort Smith (7-9 (1-6 MIAA))
Thursday, January 23rd | 7:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio

Vs Northeastern State (11-5 (5-2))
Saturday, January 25th | 3:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio

Last Time Out
The Jets went on a short road trip to Topeka and Warrensburg last week. Newman first faced Central Missouri where they dropped the contest, 80-70. The Mules got out to an early lead in the first half, but the Jets were able to cut into their lead in the second half. With six minutes to play, the Jets were able to cut a once 24-point Mule lead down to 3. However, UCM was able to fend off the Jets. Aaron Murphy led Newman in scoring with eighteen points, going 6-11 from the field with four rebounds. Against Washburn, the nation's top team, Murphy and Somerhalder combined for thirty six points. Murphy went 6-11 from the field while Sam Somerhalder went 7-16. Jayden Schoen had a career high 12 points in the matchup.

Scouting the Jets 
The Jets are averaging 78.4 points per game, while holding their opponents to 74.5 points per game. As a team, Newman is shooting 46% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. The scoring for the Jets is well spread, with three Jets averaging double digit points per game (Boston Stanton III, Somerhalder, and Murphy). Somerhalder leads the Jets in rebounding with 6.2 per game. 

Behind Enemy Lines
Arkansas-Fort Smith is off to a 7-9 season with a 1-6 conference record. Terrell Williams Jr. leads the Lions offensive attack, averaging 13 points per game. Three other Lions are averaging just above ten points per game.  As a unit, the Lions are averaging 79.7 points per game,  shooting 46.8% from the field and 35.9% from behind the arc. The Lions will travel to Emporia State following Thursday night's matchup.

Northeastern State is off to a 11-5 season with a 5-2 conference mark. Leading the way for the Riverhawks is Trey Phipps, averaging 22.8 points per game while shooting 46.5% from behind the arc.  As a team, the Riverhawks are averaging 82.4 points per game, shooting 49.7% from the field and 40.2% from behind the arc. Ethan Blackmon is leading Northeastern State in rebounds with seven per game. Three other Riverhawks are averaging above ten points per game. The Riverhawks will face Emporia State on Thursday before facing the Jets on Saturday.


The Series
-The Jets are 8-11 against the Lions. Newman took the most recent matchup this season, winning 70-67 in Fort Smith.
-The Riverhawks lead the series with an 8-5 record. The Jets took the last game, beating Northeastern State, 85-66.

Next Up
The Jets will stay at home for two more matchups, first against the Bronchos and then the Hillcats.