Box Score ODESSA, Texas – The Newman women's basketball team started its conference season with an impressive 75-70 victory at Texas-Permian Basin, which won the Heartland Conference Championship a season ago. The Lady Jets improved to 2-2 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.
 
With the Lady Jets down three, 49-46, after two UTPB free throws at the 14:53 mark of the second half, NU went on an 8-0 run to take control of the game. The run pushed the Lady Jets to a 54-49 advantage with 12:58 left in the game. A basket by Alexandra Ciabattoni started the spurt, and three straight layups by Cierra Tjaden, Shakeira Copeland and Cheniqwa Banks put NU up by five.
 
The Lady Jets didn't relinquish the lead for the rest of the game, as the Falcons couldn't get closer than three points for the rest of the contest. NU led by as many as 10 points in the second half. A three-point play by Shakira Raynor put NU up 64-54 with 8:04 left.
 
The Lady Jets were up 70-66 in the final minute and made 5-of-6 free throws to put the game away. The Falcons hit a 3-pointer with 7 seconds left to cut the deficit to three at 73-70, but two free throws by Tjaden put the game away, 75-70.
 
NU started the game fast with back-to-back 3-pointers. Tjaden hit the first at the 18:58 mark, and Banks made the second 3-pointer 18 seconds later. A Ciabattoni layup with 16:39 left in the half gave NU its largest lead of the game at 12-1. The lead was still 11 points after a Ciabattoni free throw at the 14:20 mark made it 16-5.
 
After the fast start from the Lady Jets, the Falcons responded with a 14-0 run to take a three-point advantage, 19-16, midway through the first half. The first half remained close with the Lady Jets leading by two, 40-38, at the half.
 
Ciabattoni tallied a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, which were both game highs. Ciabattoni went 9-of-14 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free throw line. She added two assists and one block. Copeland added 14 points and five rebounds.
 
Katreese Locket led UTPB with 22 points. Giselle Loya added 12 points, and Zeslie Johnson tallied 10 points.
 
The Lady Jets continue their Heartland Conference schedule on Saturday (Nov. 23) at Lubbock Christian in Lubbock, Texas. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.