Box Score LAREDO, Texas – Cheniqwa Banks' 3-point basket at the buzzer lifted the Newman women's basketball team to a 73-70 victory over Texas A&M International on Thursday (Feb. 7). The exciting victory upped the Lady Jets' record to 7-13 and 2-5 in the Heartland Conference.
 
After the Dustdevils tied the score at 70-70 on 1-of-2 free throws with 10 seconds left, Cheniqwa Banks hit the game-winning 3 as the buzzer sounded.
 
With the score tied at 65-65 after 40 minutes, the contest went to overtime. Alexandra Ciabattoni put the Lady Jets up one, 67-66, at the 3:41 mark after a made jumper. TAMIU came right back with a made basket of its own for a 68-67 lead with 3:22 remaining. NU regained the overtime lead with a 3-pointer from Bobbi Coleman at the 1:31 mark for a 70-68 advantage.
 
With 1 minute left, the Dustdevils had a chance to tie, but Re'nika Meshack missed the second of two free throws. After a Lady Jet turnover, the Dustdevils once again found themselves at the free throw line, this time with an opportunity to take the lead, but Alexis Thomas missed the first of two with 10 seconds remaining. She hit the second free throw to tie the score at 70-70 before the 3-point buzzer beater.
 
NU had a chance to win at the end of regulation with 5 seconds left, but a Shade John turnover ended regulation.
 
The Lady Jets dominated the first half, pulling out to a 33-25 halftime advantage. NU started the game strong, going on a 15-4 run in the first 8 minutes. A Ciabattoni basket at the 12:02 mark gave Newman its largest lead of 11 at 15-4.
 
In the second stanza, the Lady Jets pushed the lead out to 14 points at 39-25 with a Shade John basket with 17:52 left, however, the host Destdevils went on a 19-5 run to tie the score at 44-44 with 11:56 remaining. The score remained close for the rest of the second half as regulation ended in a 65-65 tie.
 
Four Lady Jets scored in double figures, led by 12 points from Bobby Coleman and Alexandra Ciabottoni. Sumayyah Muhammad added 11 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, and Kianna Flannagan totaled 10 points.
 
Samantha Chacon led the Dustdevils with 20 points. Malika Jackson totaled a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Newman travels to St. Mary's (Texas) on Saturday (Feb. 9) for a 2 p.m. tip-off with the Rattlers in San Antonio, Texas.