Games 20 & 21

vs Central Oklahoma (11-8 (5-5 MIAA))
Thursday, January 30th | 7:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio

vs Rogers State (15-7 (6-4))
Saturday, February 1st | 3:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio

Last Time Out
Newman hosted UAFS and Northeastern State last week in two crucial MIAA games. The Jets first faced Fort Smith in a very dominant Jet performance that ended 78-64 in favor of the home team. The Jets got out to an early lead in the first half, and maintained the distance for the remainder of the game. With seven minutes to play in the first half, the Jets were able to open a 15-point gap with the Lions. Despite a good second half start by UAFS, Newman stayed ahead and secured the win. Boston Stanton III led the Jets in scoring with eighteen points going 6-10 from the field. Sam Somerhalder recorded seventeen points and 11 rebounds. On Saturday, the Jets faced Northeastern State in a very close matchup that saw the Jets take a 76-73 win. Against NSU, Somerhalder added twenty points to his tally to make it thirty seven on the weekend. The game stayed within two scoring plays throughout the entire game, but it was the Jets who managed to get away with the win. 

Scouting the Jets 
The Jets are averaging 78.2 points per game, while holding their opponents to 73.8 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 (Stanton III, Somerhalder, and Aaron Murphy). Somerhalder leads the Jets in scoring with 221 points, in rebounding with 6.5 per game, and in assists with fifty seven. With his two great performances last week, he earned the MIAA Athlete of the Week award. 

Behind Enemy Lines
Central Oklahoma holds an 11-8 record this season, having a 5-5 record in conference play. They've won their last 3 games, including their win over the Tigers of Fort Hays State last Saturday. Israel Hart leads the Bronchos offense, averaging 16.2 points per game. Three other Bronchos are averaging over ten points per game. Central Oklahoma is averaging 80.7 points per game as a team,  shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.1% from behind the arc. The Bronchos will travel to Emporia State following Thursday night's matchup.

Rogers State is off to a 15-7 season with a 6-4 conference mark. Leading the way for the Hillcats is Kofi Hamilton, averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting 58.6% from the field. As a team, Rogers State is averaging 77.9 points per game, shooting 47.8% from the field and 33.7% from behind the arc. Caden Fry is the Hillcats leader in rebounds with seven per game. Anthony Marshall Jr leads them in assists with a total of 65. Apart from Hamilton, two other Hillcats are averaging above ten points per game. RSU will face Emporia State on Thursday before taking on the Jets on Saturday.

The Series
-The Jets are 1-10 against the Bronchos. Newman took their only win in 2020, winning 90-68 in Fugate Gymnasium.
-The Hillcats lead the series with a 19-5 record. Rogers State won their previous matchup this year 76-66 in Claremore.

Next Up
After this game, the Jets will hit the road to face Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State next week.