Read the latest updates for the Newman University Jets.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Jets dropped two games on the road last week, falling 81-70 at NCAA Div. II and Heartland Conference provisional member Arkansas-Fort Smith, then dropping an 88-69 decision two days later at Dallas Baptist. Will Burdette scored 17 points off the bench to lead the Jets in the loss at UAFS, while Keaton Schultz and Tommy Brumbelow each scored 15 points in the loss at DBU. Newman currently sits at 16-9 overall, and is tied with Dallas Baptist for third place in the Heartland Conference. Second place, and a first-round bye in next week’s Heartland Conference tournament is still a distinct possibility for the Jets if they can pick up two wins this week.
Newman concludes its regular season this weekend. The Jets host Oklahoma Panhandle State in the WBCA Pink Zone game Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Fugate Gymnasium, before hosting Texas-Permian Basin Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. contest.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Newman women’s basketball team played just one game last week, traveling to Arkansas-Fort Smith where they dropped a 72-47 decision to the Lions Thursday night inside the Stubblefield Center. Monique Pitts led the Jets in both scoring and rebounding, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds in the contest, and becoming Newman’s leading scorer in the process. With two games remaining, the Jets are 6-19, and are tied with Oklahoma Panhandle State for seventh in the Heartland Conference with a 3-9 record in conference play.
The Jets will have a chance to break that tie Thursday evening when OPSU pays a visit to Fugate Gymnasium for the annual WBCA Pink Zone game. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. Newman will wrap up its regular season Saturday, hosting Texas-Permian Basin in a 1 p.m. contest on Senior Day. The Jets need at least one win and a Texas A&M International loss on Saturday to have a chance to force a tie for sixth place, which would result in a play-in game Wednesday in San Antonio to determine the six seed in next week’s Heartland Conference Championship tournament.
BASEBALL
The Newman baseball team posted a 1-2 record in last weekend’s trip to St. Mary’s. Mike Williams pitched five innings of scoreless baseball as the Jets picked up a 1-0 win over the Rattlers in the series opener. St. Mary’s bounced back for wins in the final two games of the series, with the Jets falling 8-3 and 6-1 to the Rattlers, who were receiving votes in the latest national poll.
The Jets are back in action this weekend, making yet another trip to Texas. This time, Newman travels to Laredo to take on Texas A&M International.
SOFTBALL
Mother nature kept the Jets off the diamond once again last week. Newman was slated to pick up six games at the South Central Shootout in Durant, Okla., but the tournament was cancelled when lingering effects from a winter storm rendered the fields in Durant unplayable. The Jets have now had to cancel eight games due to weather, and will begin their season March 5 in San Antonio, Texas, against Incarnate Word.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
The Jets remained undefeated this spring with two wins last week. Newman picked up a 5-3 win over junior college power Barton Community College on Friday, then opened Heartland Conference play with a 7-2 win over rival Lincoln Saturday afternoon at Riverside Tennis Center. Emily Gerber was named the Heartland Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week after posting a combined 4-0 record in doubles and singles play last weekend.
Newman is back in action this weekend, traveling to Plano, Texas, for the Collin College Super Six tournament. Newman has been pitted against three junior college opponents, and will take on Collin College, Seminole State, and Tyler Junior College at the tournament this weekend.
MEN’S TENNIS
Newman posted a 1-1 record in matches played last week. The Jets suffered a 7-0 sweep Tuesday at crosstown NCAA Div. 1 rival Wichita State, but bounced back for a dominating 7-2 win over Barton Friday afternoon at Genesis Health Club.
The Jets are back in action next weekend at the Washburn Invitational in Topeka.
The Newman men’s golf team opened its spring season with an 11th-place outing at the snow-shortened St. Edward’s Invitational, which concluded Monday at Grey Rock Golf Club in Austin, Texas. Noah Smithson shot a 14-over-par 156 (77-79) over 36 holes, and finished 35th to lead the Jets.
The Jets will give Texas another try next week, traveling to Austin for the St. Edward’s Invitational, which begins Monday.
