AUSTIN, Texas - The Newman women's basketball team was unable to salvage a road split, falling 60-47 to the St. Edward's Hilltoppers Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center in Austin, Texas. The Jets and Hilltoppers were whistled for a combined 48 fouls, and combined to shoot 68 free throws in the contest.

Playing with just nine players suited out, St. Edward's (6-16, 4-5 Heartland) scored the first seven points of the contest. The Hilltoppers kept Newman (5-17, 3-8 Heartland) off the scoreboard for more than four minutes, when Monique Pitts converted one of two free throw attempts to give the Jets their first points of the game. The Jets didn't record their first field goal until the 12:34 mark when Rainey Nickel connected from long range, bringing Newman to within six, 12-6, but that's as close as the blue-clad Jets could get in the half. St. Edward's led from the start, and held a 36-23 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Jessica Forshee got things starte for the Jets in the second half, draining a layup on Newman's opening possession to narrow the SEU lead to 36-25. The Hilltoppers countered with four-straight to push their lead back to 15, and Newman simply could not respond. The game turned into a free throw contest late in each half, as both teams combined for 48 fouls, and shot a combined 68 free throws. Newman went 17-for-25 from the charity stripe, while St. Edward's made 29 of its 38 attempts from the line.

Monique Pitts and Rainey Nickel each scored 11 points to lead the Jets. Nine of Pitts' points came from the free throw line. Pitts also added 12 points to finish with a double-double. After committing 30 or more turnovers in each of their last two games, Newman committed just 17 turnovers in Saturday's game.

Brittany Ward and Kelli Payton each scored 14 points to lead St. Edward's, while Sara Head was the Hilltoppers' leading rebounder, grabbing eight boards in the contest.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 5-17 on the season, and 3-8 in Heartland Conference play. They will return to action Monday when they host Tabor College in a 5:30 p.m. contest at Fugate Gymnasium.