JOPLIN, Mo.- Newman Men's Basketball kicked off their 2025-2026 season at the MIAA/GAC Challenge hosted by Missouri Southern. The Jets faced Southwestern Oklahoma State. Newman fell short, 82-68. 

How it Happened:
- The Bulldogs took the early lead at 5-1. A layup by Sam Somerhalder brought the Jets back within two points. Jayden Schoen would hit his first basket of the game at the 17 minute mark to keep the game a three-point game. Braden Wilson then followed up Schoen's score with a basket of his own to make it a one-point game. The Bulldogs were able to stretch their lead out to eight points at the 13 minute mark, their largest lead of the half. A basket by Kobe Freeman stopped the SWOSU momentum. Another score by Freeman put the Jets within five with 12 minutes to play. The Bulldogs then put together their own 4-0 run to take their lead to 24-15. Back-to-back baskets by the Jets put the deficit back at five. SWOSU took their biggest lead at the six minute mark at 32-23. A 5-0 run with a basket by Aaron Murphy and a three-pointer by Trae Clayton brought the Jets within four points with five minutes to play in the opening half. Later, another three by Clayton took it to a three point game at 34-31. The Bulldogs responded with a three-pointer of their own to make it a six point game.The Bulldogs offense stayed aggressive, taking their run out to a 42-31 lead at the 2:55 mark. Clayton scored his 11th point of the half to stop this run. The half would close out with the Bulldogs taking their lead to 49-35. Clayton led the Jets with 13 points in the half. 
- The Jets were first to score in the second half, with Somerhalder connecting for two. The Jets and Bulldogs would trade back and forth baskets in the opening minutes. Five minutes into the half, SWOSU led 58-41. An 8-0 run by the Jets brought the game to 58-49 with 12 minutes to play. Tucker Sheperd of the Bulldogs hit a three to stop the Jets run. Later, an 11-3 run allowed SWOSU to take their lead to 72-53 with just under seven minutes to play. With three to play, the Jets cut the score to 76-65 with a 9-1 run. Terrell Wright would score four of the Jets six points in the offensive surge and Freeman would hit a three to help lead the Jets to just an 11 point deficit. Though the Jets continued to battle, Newman would run out of time to close the gap. The Jets would fall, 82-68.

Player Notes: 
- Clayton led the Jets scoring with 15 points. 
- Wright tallied 13 points with eight rebounds. 
- Wilson added 11 points and nine rebounds. 

The Jets are back tomorrow at 2:30 PM in Joplin to face Arkansas Tech.