Games 12 & 13 

vs Rogers State (7-5 (1-2 MIAA))
Thursday, January 1st | 7:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio

vs Central Oklahoma (8-7 (1-2 MIAA))
Saturday, January 3rd | 3:30 PM | Fugate Gymnasium
Video | Live Stats | Audio


Last Time Out
The Jets opened conference play with a 1-1 record. Newman earned their first conference win against Northeastern State on December 4 in the conference opener. In the victory over the RiverHawks, Thatcher McClure scored a season-high 20 points, while Trae Clayton added 19 points. After dropping a game to UAFS, the Jets bounced back with a 105-65 win over Kansas Christian, with both Jayden Schoen and Clayton scoring 15 points. Newman closed out 2025 falling to Southwest Baptist and East Central, with Sam Somerhalder and McClure leading the team in scoring with 19 points each in the two games.

Scouting the Jets 
In 2025, the Jets averaged 83.6 points per game while allowing 77.5 points per game. Newman shot 47.9% from the field and 39% from three-point range. As a team, the Jets collected 392 rebounds compared to 324 by their opponents and averaged 19.3 assists per game. Thatcher McClure leads the Jets in scoring at 11.1 points per game while shooting 62.9% from the field. Brandon Wilson ranks second on the team, averaging 9.9 points per game. Sam Somerhalder leads the Jets in rebounding with 53 boards through 11 games, with Wilson close behind at 51. Jayden Schoen leads the team with 20 made three-pointers, shooting 44% from beyond the arc.


Behind Enemy Lines
The Hillcats enter 2026 with a 7-5 record, including a 1-2 mark in MIAA play. Their losses came against Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State, with the lone conference win coming over Central Oklahoma. Rogers State averages 78.5 points per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and holding opponents to 70.4 points per game. Andrew Mason leads the Hillcats in scoring at 12.2 points per game, followed closely by Tim Jordan Jr. with 11.8 points per game. Bernard Omooria provides a three-point threat, connecting at a 42% clip from beyond the arc. Jabryn Anderson leads the team in rebounding with 72 boards and also tops the Hillcats in assists with 54.

The Bronchos enter the new year with an 8-7 record, including a 1-2 mark in conference play. Their lone MIAA win came against Missouri Southern, defeating the Lions 87-79. Central Oklahoma closed out 2025 with a win over Dallas Christian on Tuesday. The Bronchos average 72.3 points per game while holding opponents to 64.5 points per game. Matthew Willenborg leads the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game, followed by Josh Nwankwo with 18.8 points per game. Willenborg also averages 9.2 rebounds per game and connects on 40.3% of his three-point attempts. Marcus Zeigler Jr. facilitates the Bronchos' offense, leading the team with 51 assists.


The Series
-The Hillcats lead the series against the Jets, taking 19 of 25 meetings between the two. The Jets won the most recent matchup on February 1st, 2025 by a score of 85-79.

-The Jets have taken just one win against the Bronchos in 12 meetings. The last win against UCO came in December of 2020. 

Next Up
The Jets will head out on the road next week for matchups against Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. They are set to take on the Gorillas on January 8 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a matchup with Missouri Southern on January 10 at 3:30 p.m.