Box Score WICHITA – The Newman women's basketball team dropped a 77-70 game to St. Mary's on Saturday (Dec. 7) at Fugate Gymnasium. The Lady Jets battled back to take a 59-58 advantage, but couldn't hang on. NU fell to 4-6 and 2-3 in the Heartland Conference, and StMU moved to 8-1 and 3-0 in the conference.
 
After trailing for the first 35 minutes of the game, NU took its only lead with 5 minutes remaining after two Alexandra Ciabattoni free throws put the Lady Jets up 59-58.
 
The Rattlers responded with a 10-1 run to go up 68-60 with 1:37 left in the game.
 
Cheniqwa Banks made back-to-back 3s to cut the deficit to three points at 71-68 with 26 seconds remaining. StMU made free throws at the end of the game to secure the win 77-70.
 
Ciabattoni led NU with 21 points and eight rebounds. She added three steals in 35 minutes. Shekeira Copeland and Banks each scored 13 points. Copeland pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Shakira Raynor totaled seven assists.
 
After shooting 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) in the first half, the Lady Jets went 14-of-29 (48.3) from the field in the second half to shoot 41.5 percent (22-53) for the game. NU was 8-of-23 from 3-point range (34.8 percent).
 
The Rattlers shot 50 percent from the field (23-46), including 55.6 percent (10-18) in the second half. StMU shot 53.8 percent (7-13) from 3-point range.
 
Jackie Woods tallied a game-high 22 points. Three other Rattlers were in double figures in the contest.
 
NU is next in action on the road at McMurry on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in Abilene, Texas.