box score

WICHITA, Kans. – Newman University hit 26-of-27 free throws which propelled it to a 78-71 victory over the University of Texas of the Permian Basin which snapped a four-game losing skid.

Leading 62-61 with 1:40 to play in the game, Newman was a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line capped off by a pair from William Burdette which proved to be the difference. Ironically, both teams combined to shoot just eight free throws in the first half, but exploded for 40 total freebies in the second.

UTPB was not as fortunate from the charity stripe, connecting on 15-of-21 attempts and hit just 35.6 percent from the field. The Falcons were not able to find its range from the outside as they made four of the 24 three-pointers they attempted.

The Falcons led 7-4 after the first six minutes of the game, but Burdette knocked down a three-pointer with just over 14 minutes to go to tie the contest at seven. Kyle Grant snapped the scoring drought by both teams after his layup at the 11:43 mark gave the Jets a 9-7 edge. A bucket by Erik Martin gave the Falcons a brief 13-11 lead with 7:41 to go before the half, but a three-pointer by Eric Saunders gave the Jets a 14-13 the lead which they would keep the rest of the way.

Points were a premium for the Falcons, who scored just four points in the final seven minutes of the first half but luckily only trailed 26-19 at the break, the lowest scoring output in a half by the Falcons this season.

Scoring woes continued in the second half for UTPB as it put in just six points in the first six minutes of the period. The Falcons trailed by as many as 12 (41-29) with 12:37 to go after a three-pointer by Tyler Nordman. He would knock down four of the team's three's en route to his 12-point performance.

The Falcons finally got their offense on track as they went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to 41-39 with 10:40 to go after a layup by Ke'Andre Derrick. UTPB would eventually cut the lead to one (50-49) with 5:39 to go, but were never able to take the lead.

Jamal Holden finished with a team-high 18 points and hit three of the team's four three-pointers. Martin finished with 15, while Louis Crane and Derrick had 11 each.

The Falcons fell to 8-9 overall and 2-2 in Heartland Conference play. They will remain on the road when they take on Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.