Box Score Wichita, Kansas- The Newman women's basketball team (3-4, 0-0 Heartland) narrowly defeated the War Hawks of McMurry University 63-62, giving the Jets their first home victory of the season Thursday inside Fugate Gymnasium.  Alexandra Ciabattoni led the Jets with 18 points.

McMurry's Ana Dominquez sunk the first basket of the evening, and the Jets trailed until a free throw by Shade John gave Newman a 5-4 lead at the 17:17 mark.  The teams continued to trade baskets for the next few minutes, but a six-point run by the Jets in the heart of the first half made the score 18-12 Newman with 10:05 on the clock.  Newman took their largest nine-point lead of the night after a jumper from Naomi Rosale with 4:02 remaining in the half.  The War Hawks tried to battle their way back, but it was the Jets who headed back to the locker rooms with a 30-26 lead.

The War Hawks found their footing early in the second half, tying the score up at 32-32 with 18:30 remaining in the game.  McMurry took their first lead of the half after a three-pointer from Keshia Collins at the 17:15 mark.  The teams continued to trade off until Chenigwa Banks drained two from downtown withing a two minute span to give Newman a 49-43 advantage with ten minutes remaining. The teams remained neck and neck the rest of the game, and the War Hawks held a one-point advantage with one minute to go. However, a basket by Alexandra Ciabattoni with five seconds remaining clinched the victory for the Jets, making the final score 63-62 Newman.

Alexandra Ciabattoni led the Jets and hit her double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.  Kianna Flannagan and Chenigwa Banks joined her in the double digits with a respective 17 and 11 points.  Chenigwa Banks was also 5-9 from behind the arc.

As a team, Newman shot 43.3 percent (26-60) from the field and 26.1 percent (16-23) from downtown.  McMurry outrebounded the Jets 47-42.

The Jets return to action this Saturday as they play their first Heartland Conference match against the Hilltoppers of St. Edward's University.  Tip-off is at 2 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.