SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Newman women's basketball team looks to hand league-leading St. Mary's its first Heartland Conference loss of the 2010-11 season Saturday afternoon with a trip to San Antonio to take on the St. Mary's Rattlers. Tip-time inside Bill Greehey Arena is slated for 2 p.m.
About the Jets...
Newman brings a 10-6 record into Saturday's game after picking up a 77-61 decison over Texas A&M International Thursday evening in Laredo, Texas. The Jets opened the season with wins in five of their first six contests, defeating Lone Star opponents East Central (72-57), Cameron (75-70), Catholic arch rival Rockhurst (67-50), and in-state rival Fort Hays State (66-52) in the process. Newman's only loss in that stretch was an 83-71 road loss at Pittsburg State on Nov. 16.
The Jets are led by
Philicia Kelly, a 5-9 junior transfer from Labette Community College who is averaging 16.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game after a 27-point, 4-rebound outing at TAMIU.
Rhea Codio, a transfer guard from the University of Kansas, scores 13.2 points and dishes out 3.6 assists per game for the Jets as the team's point guard, while
Tasha Cannon can be counted on for 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in the paint. Cannon scored 22 points in the Jets' win over the Dustdevils Thursday.
As a team, the Jets have held their opponents to a .387 collective field goal percentage, and out-rebound opposing teams by a 39.6-33.1 margin.
Scouting St. Mary's...
The Rattlers bring an 11-6 overall record, and a 3-0 mark in Heartland Conference play into Thursday's contest. St. Mary's is coming off an 72-55 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State Thursday in San Antonio, and has won four-straight games.
Kristen Williams has emerged as the Rattlers' leading scorer this season. The 5-11 senior forward is averaging 11.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game through 17 games in the 2010-11 season. She is the only player averaging double figures for the Rattlers, who only score 59.1 points per game, but their stingy defense allows just 57.4 points per game.
As a team, the Rattlers shoot .393 from the floor, .311 from long range, and .674 from the charity stripe. They out-rebound their opponents by a 37.8-31.1 margin.
The Series....
This will be the eighth meeting between the Jets and the Rattlers. St. Mary's has won each meeting in the series after a 40-38 win over the Jets in the teams' last meeting on Jan. 28, 2010 in Wichita.
The Last Time These Two Met....
The Jets and Rattlers combined for just 28 made field goals and 53 turnovers, but the Rattlers were able to overcome a 30.4 percent shooting effort (14-46) and walk away from Fugate Gymnasium with a 40-38 win on Jan. 28, 2010.
Monique Pitts led the Jets with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Kristen Williams scored 15 points and five boards.
