Box Score WICHITA - The Newman women's basketball team earned its spot in the Heartland Conference Championship finals by defeating the Rattlers of St. Mary's University with a 62-45 victory Friday evening inside Fugate Gymnasium. Satoria Bell and Tasha Cannon led all scorers with 16 points.

Newman's Satoria Bell took the first basket of the game, and the Jets never looked back. The Jets went on a nine-point run in the middle of the half that ended with a Rattlers' basket by Kathryn Galindo at the 7:51 mark, making the score 24-9. Arielle McGhee took the last shot of the half, giving the Jets a 33-15 edge headed into the locker rooms.

Tasha Cannon shot two from the line to start off the second half of the game, soon followed by a Jet rally that gave Newman their biggest 21-point lead of the night with four minutes left in regulation play. St. Mary's Liz Boyd put up the last two points of the game, but the Jets walked away with a 62-45 victory.

Alina Voronenko joined Bell and Cannon in double digit with 12 points for the game. Tasha Cannon was also a perfect 10-for-10 from the line while Celeste Key and Alina Voronenko both took six rebounds for the game.

DeAnna Patterson led the Rattlers with 11 points.

As a team, Newman shot 41.7 percent (20-48) from the field and 88 percent (22-25) from the charity stripe. Newman outrebounded St. Mary's 41-28.

With the win, Newman advances to the finals of the Heartland Conference Championship as they try to earn their spot in the national tournament. They return to action tomorrow when they take on the Lions of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at 2 p.m. inside Fugate Fymnasium.