WICHITA- Men's Basketball opened conference play against Northeastern State. The Jets defeated NSU, 81-71. 

How it Happened: 
- The Riverhawks started off the contest with a 12-0 run. The Jets were able to respond with a 6-0 run of their own, to cut the deficit in half. Scores by Jacob Joe, Kobe Freeman, and Thatcher McClure led the offensive surge. Later, another offensive surge by the Jets brought Newman within three points, 16-13. Deacon Courtney and Trae Clayton added scores during this 5-0 run. With under ten to play in the half, Jayden Schoen hit from behind the arc to make it 16 all. Schon would hit another three at the seven minute mark to give the Jets a 24-21 lead. The Riverhawks would tie it, but Newman would later take a four point lead at 28-24 with scores by Sam Somerhalder and Courtney. Clayton would hit from behind the arc to extend the Jets lead to five, 31-26, with just over three minutes remaining. The Jets would head into the half with the 36-35 lead. Three Jets scored six points in the half including Courtney, Schoen, and Clayton. 
- To start the second half, Courtney connected with his eighth point of the contest to put Newman up three, 38-35. Courtney followed up his first basket with a dunk to push theJets to a five point lead. Joe added onto Courtney's 5-0 run with a three-pointer to extend the lead to eight with 18 minutes to play. NSU closed the gap to two points with a 6-0 run. This put the Jets up 41-43 with just over 15 minutes to play. Schoen connected with his third three of the night to push Newman to a five point lead. A basket by the Riverhawks cut it back to three points, but Thatcher McClure dunked the ball and completed an and-one opportunity to push Newman to a 49-43 lead. NSU tied the game at 53 all the 11:30 mark. McClure connected with his ninth point on the next possession to regain the lead for the Jets at 55-53. At the under ten minute media break, the Jets and Riverhawks were tied 57-57. NSU would then gain the lead at 58-57 with a free throw. A three-pointer by Freeman took back the lead. Somerhalder followed this up to complete a 5-0 run for Newman, taking the 62-58 lead. Courtney hit his 12th point with just over six minutes remaining to help the Jets hold their four point lead. McClure hit back-to-back threes heading into the final media timeout, giving Newman the 72-64 edge. Out of the break, NSU hit from behind the arc to cut the deficit to five. With three minutes to play, the Jets had a four point edge. McClure hit another three for the Jets, boosting them to a 76-69 lead with under two minutes to play. The Jets would be able to fight off the Riverhawks in the closing minutes. Newman would take the win, 81-71. 

Player Notes: 
- McClure led the Jets with 20 points, going 3-4 from behind the arc. 
- Clayton added 19 points, going 6-10 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc. 
- Freeman dished out eight assists. 
- Courtney tallied 12 points, adding six rebounds. 

Newman is back in Fugate on Saturday to host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 3:30 PM.