Box Score WIchita, Kan. - The Newman women's basketball team lost its conference opener to St. Edward's Saturday afternoon in a game which saw both teams struggle offensively.  Kianna Flannagan led the Jets with 15 points and Alexandra Ciabattoni recorded her second double-double of the season in the 59-55 loss.

The opening minutes of the first half produced several early lead changes.  Nique Banks put the Jets ahead early by draining a three, but the Hilltoppers came back with a layup followed by a three throw to take a 4-3 advantage three minutes into the half.  The teams exchanged the lead several more times before Sheba Goode sank a jumper to put the Jets ahead 15-14 at the 8:45 mark.  The lead wouldn't last though, and with 2:16 to play in the half the teams were locked at 21-21.  St. Edwards went on a 6-0 run following a timeout, and seemed as if they would go into the locker rooms with a commanding lead.  Chynna Ramelb converted two free throws with thirty seconds left to cut the Hilltoppers' lead to 27-23 going into halftime.  

The Jets fought hard to come back in the second half, but never really seemed to find a scoring rhythm to stop the Hilltoppers' offense from pulling ahead.  After trading shots over the course of the first few minutes, Kianna Flannagan made a layup to spark a six-point Newman run. Alexandra Ciabattoni added back-to-back jumpers to cut St. Edward's lead to 40-38 with 12:48 to play.  This was the closest the Jets would get to regaining the lead, though, as the Hilltoppers responded with an 8-0 run to take the momentum back.  The Jets fought hard over the final minutes, but St. Edward's seemed to have an answer to every scoring play that they put together.  The Hilltoppers converted seven free throws in the final two minutes of the game to keep the Jets on their heels, leading to the 59-55 final.

Kianna Flannagan led scoring effort for Newman, notching 15 points in the game.  Alexandra Ciabattoni recorded her second straight double-double thanks to a 14 point scoring effort coupled with 10 boards in the loss.  Chynna Ramelb scored 11 points, including 2 of 4 from downtown, and added three steals.

As a team, the Jets struggled to find consistency on offense, shooting just 30.1 percent (22-73) from the floor.  Newman outrebounded St. Edward's 50-39, and shot 72.7 percent (8-11) from the charity stripe.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 3-5 on the season (0-1 Heartland).  For their next matchup they will host Southwestern Oklahoma State University on December 5th at 6 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.