Games 22 & 23

vs Missouri Southern (9-11 (4-7 MIAA))
Thursday, February 6th | 7:30 PM | Joplin, Mo.
Video | Live Stats

vs Pittsburg State (11-9 (7-4))
Saturday, February 8th | 3:30 PM | Pittsburg, Kan.
Video | Live Stats

Last Time Out
The Jets hosted Central Oklahoma and Rogers State in the last two out of four home games in the past weeks. On Thursday, against UCO, Newman was unable to slow down a very accurate Bronchos offense that was able to gain a big lead and the beginning of the game and would go on to take the game 75-108. Central Oklahoma shot 60.7% from behind the arc, and 62.9% from the field. Boston Stanton III and Aaron Murphy led the Jets in points with 12. In the Saturday game, The Jets showed resilience coming back from a double-digit difference to take the win 85-79. Newman trailed for over twenty six minutes in the game, losing their early lead with 13 minutes to play in the first half, and regaining the lead with only 6 minutes left in the game. Right before the half, Newman was down 12 points. Five different Jets recorded double-digit points, with Staton III leading them with 17 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. 

Scouting the Jets 
The Jets are averaging 78.4 points per game, while holding their opponents to 75.7 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 at least 11 points per game (Stanton III, Sam Somerhalder, and Murphy). Aaron Murphy leads the Jets in scoring with 242 points. In rebounding, Newman is led by Somerhalder who averages 6.2 per game. He also leads the Jets in assists with a total of 66. Newman holds a 6-6 MIAA record and sits seventh in the MIAA standings, tied in wins with the sixth and the fifth seed. 

Behind Enemy Lines
Missouri Southern holds a 9-11 record this season, having a 4-7 record in conference play. They've lost their last 4 games, including a one point difference loss over the RiverHawks of Northeastern State last Saturday. Martin Macenis leads the Lions offense, averaging 15.2 points per game. Two other Lions are averaging over ten points per game. Southern is averaging 79.3 points per game as a team,  shooting 47% from the field and 38% from behind the arc. The Lions will travel to Emporia State following Thursday night's matchup.

Pittsburg State is off to an 11-9 season with a 7-4 conference mark. Leading the way for the Gorillas is Avery Taggart, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. As a team, PSU is averaging 76.6 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and 38% from behind the arc.Taggart also leads the Gorillas in rebounds with 5.1 per game. Jordan Frison leads them in assists with a total of 118.  The Gorillas sit third in the MIAA standings tied with NSU, who are second, with the same amount of wins. PSU will face Emporia State on Thursday before taking on the Jets on Saturday.

The Series
-The Jets are 2-8 against the Lions overall. Newman won their first ever matchup in 2007, 86-84, and their last game 70-65 in Fugate Gymnasium.
-The Gorillas lead the series with a 14-6 record. Pittsburg State won their previous matchup this year 76-86 in Wichita.

Next Up
The Jets will begin their last home stand of the season hosting Nebraska Kearney for Homecoming on Thursday, and Fort Hays State on Saturday.