Read the latest updates for the Newman University Jets
Men’s Basketball
The Jets suffered only their second split of the season last weekend, defeating St. Mary’s 80-71, before falling to Incarnate Word, 71-65. Keaton Schultz led the Jets in Thursday’s win with 17 points as one of five Newman players to finish with 10 points or more in the contest. Jaray Mathews added eight rebounds to lead Newman in the contest. Saturday, Newman played in front of the largest Fugate Gymnasium crowd of the season on the first-ever “Blue Out Fugate” event. More than 800 fans were on hand to cheer on the Jets, but it wasn’t quite enough as Incarnate Word cut the Jets’ Heartland Conference lead to one game, escaping Wichita with a 71-65 win. Mathews led the way for Newman with a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double. Schultz’s three point field goal percentage dropped to .556 over the course of the weekend, but the redshirt junior still leads all of college basketball in that category.
The Jets also earned their first regional ranking of the season, debuting at 10th in the first NCAA Div. II South Central Regional Poll, which was released last Wednesday. The poll plays a role in filling the South Central Regional Tournament, which serves as the opening round of the NCAA Div. II Championship tournament.
The Jets are back in action Thursday when they travel to south Texas to take on the Texas A&M International Dustdevils in an 8 p.m. contest. Newman continues its road swing with a 4:30 p.m. contest at St. Edward’s Saturday night in Austin.
Women’s Basketball
Newman held late leads on the two best teams in the Heartland Conference last weekend, but came up a combined six points short of upset bids over St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word last weekend. Both opponents entered the weekend tied for first in the Heartland Conference standings, and both overcame Newman leads to sneak away with wins. The Jets led nearly the entire way, but St. Mary’s hit key free throws down the stretch in a 40-38 win over the Jets on Thursday night. Saturday, Newman led Incarnate Word by 12 more than halfway through the second half, but a late rally pushed the Cardinals past the Jets, 47-43, Saturday night. Monique Pitts led the Jets in both contests, scoring 10 points against St. Mary’s, and seven points against Incarnate Word.
The Jets will travel south for their next game, as they take on Texas A&M International Thursday night in Laredo, Texas. They will continue their road swing with a trip to Austin to take on St. Edward’s on Saturday, before returning home for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest with Tabor Monday night.
Wrestling
Newman hosted the only all-Kansas wrestling tournament of the season Sunday night at the First Annual Kansas Cup. Teams from Fort Hays State, Baker, Labette, Neosho, and Pratt met at Fugate Gymnasium for an all-day event chock full of wrestling action. Newman took fifth in the event with Blake Fisher (133), Brent Fisher (141), Mitch Arnold (149), Ryan Spencer (157), Austin Workman (165), and Tyler Hasenbank (184) all taking third place in their repsective weight classes.
The Jets hosted Central Missouri in their final home dual of the season Wednesday night. Results were unavailable at press time.
