Box Score WICHITA – The Newman women's basketball team defeated McMurry University, 61-52, on Saturday (Feb. 8) at Fugate Gymnasium. The Lady Jets improved to 13-10 and 10-7 in the Heartland Conference.
 
After trailing by two, 22-20, at halftime, NU used a strong second half to pull away for the 61-52 win. The Lady Jets shot 60 percent (12-20) in the second half after hitting only 27.6 percent (8-29) in the first half. For the game, NU shot 40.8 percent (20-49).
 
Brianna Caldwell started the second half with a 3-pointer at 19:10 to put NU up 23-22. Alexandra Ciabattoni hit a layup on the next NU possession for a 25-22 score.
 
With the score 30-29, the Lady Jets went on a quick 7-0 run to open up a 37-29 lead. Ciabattoni hit a 3-pointer at 15:47, and Mali Wright hit two free throws. Cierra Tjaden's layup at 14:08 put NU up eight.
 
The Lady Jets led 19 minutes of the second half and cruised to the 61-52 win.
 
Ciabattoni scored a team-high 15 points. She blocked a career-high six shots. The sophomore added two steals, two assists and four rebounds. Shekeira Copeland and Cheniqwa Banks added nine points each. Tjaden had a game-high four steals and five assists.
 
The Lady Jet defense held McMurry to 32.3 percent (21-65) shooting from the field.
 
NU heads to the road for two straight games. The Lady Jets go to Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday (Feb. 8) for a 1 p.m. game in Goodwell, Okla