WICHITA - Philicia Kelly and Alex Adekunle each posted double-doubles as the Newman women's basketball team knocked off previously-undefeated Fort Hays State in a 66-52 decision Tuesday evening in front of 579 fans inside Fugate Gymnasium. The win was Newman's first-ever against the Tigers.

After exchanging baskets and the lead for the first eight minutes of the game, Newman (5-1) pieced together a 14-2 run capped by a Nikita Norwood lay-up that gave the Jets a 21-12 lead with 5:39 remaining in the opening frame. Fort Hays State (3-1) countered with a 5-2 spurt to pull back within six, 23-17, with 4:42 to play, but the Jets pushed their lead back to double figures with a 7-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 30-17 lead with 1:12 to play. The Tigers scored the final five points of the half, but Newman still took a 30-22 edge into the halftime break.

The Jets opened the final frame with a 6-0 run over the first three minutes. Alex Adekunle's lay-up at the 17:42 mark pushed Newman's lead to 14, 36-22. The Jets extended that lead to 18 when a Philicia Kelly jumper gave Newman a 47-29 lead with 10:43 remaining. Newman's lead eclipsed the 20 point mark for the first time when Tasha Cannon drained a pair of free throws with 6:16 to play to give the hosts a 56-35 lead. From there it was a matter of watching the clock wind down. Fort Hays State ended the game on a 6-0 run, but it was too little, too late for the Tigers as Newman held on for the 66-52 win.

Philicia Kelly scored 16 points to lead the Jets, who shot just .397 (25-63) from the field in the win. Kelly added 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Rhea Codio added 15 points, seven assits, and six rebounds, while Alex Adekunle scored 11 points as Newman's final double-digit scorer. Adekunle also added a team-high 12 rebounds for her first double-double outing of the season.
Kimber Weiser scored 20 points to lead the Tigers in the loss.

With the win, Newman improves to 5-1 on the season. They will return to action Friday against Wayne State in a 4 p.m. contest inside Fugate Gymnasium. The Wildcats checked in at No. 17 in this week's NCAA Div. II Coaches' Poll.