WICHITA- The Newman women's basketball team will open conference play Saturday, when Arkansas-Fort Smith visits Wichita. Saturday's match-up will mark the first of seven consecutive conference games for the Jets. Tip-time is set for 2 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.
Jets Soaring...
The Jets have rattled off five straight victories since suffering their second defeat of the 2011-12 season, a 71-65 overtime decision at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 1. Through the past five games Newman is averaging 78.0 points per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. On the season, the Jets are averaging 71.2 points per game, converting 45.0 percent of their field goal attempts.
Dangerous Duo...
Seniors
Satoria Bell and
Tasha Cannon are proving to be the driving force behind a potent Jet offense. Individually, each has shown they are among the best women's basketball players in NCAA Division II. Bell's 319 points leads the nation, while her 24.5 point-per-game average ranks second in all of NCAA Division II, through 13 games. Cannon joins Bell in double-figures, averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She is a consistent double-double threat with seven double-doubles thus far in the season.
Last Time Out...
Newman opened the new year with a decisive 81-45 win over Ottawa on Jan. 2 inside Fugate Gymnasium.
Satoria Bell and Tasha Canon both posted double-doubles, combining for 39 points and 25 rebounds. Bell led the Newman offense with 21 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field while grabbing 10 rebounds. Cannon added 18 points and 15 rebounds to the mix for her seventh double-double of the season.
Celeste Key came of the bench for 10 points and eight rebounds while
Anna Sonka added 10 points of her own. As a team, the Jets shot 47.8 percent (33-69) from the field and forced 15 turnovers.
Scouting Arkansas-Fort Smith...
Prior to Thursday night's game at Oklahoma Panhandle State the Lady Lions are averaging 73.6 points-per-game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field. Defensivley they are holding their opponents to just 36.5 percent from the field and are outscoring them by 5.2 points per game. Offensivley Arkansas-Fort Smith is led by Vasha Sanders who averages 12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Coby Hill is second in scoring for the Lady Lions averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Whitney Lee leads the team in rebounding on both ends of the court, pulling down 8.5 per game while contributing 9.6 points per game.
Away from their home court the Lady Lions are 5-3 and are averaging 76.5 points-per-game while allowing their opponents to score just 70.2 points per game.
Back for More...
Saturday's contest will be the 5th meeting between the Lions and the Jets. Arkansas-Fort Smith leads the all-time series 3-1 but the Jets won the last match-up, 101-97 in a triple-overtime showdown inside Fugate Gymnasium on Feb. 7.
