OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Newman women's basketball team couldn't get the offense going, falling 60-52 at Oklahoma Christian on Thursday (Jan. 15) at the Eagles' Nest. The Jets shot 27.9 percent (17-61) from the field. NU drops to 5-10 on the season and 2-5 in the Heartland Conference.
 
With the Jets in front by the score of 36-35 with 9:56 left in the second half after a DeKendra Ledoux basket, the home team went on an 11-0 run to gain a 46-36 advantage with 3:33 remaining.
 
Cierra Tjaden hit a long two-pointer to end the run for a 46-38 score with 3:33 left. Brianna Caldwell got a steal and then hit a 3 for a 46-41 score at the 2:42 mark.
 
The Eagles' Sydney Hill hit a layup and was fouled. She made the free throw for a three-point play that pushed the margin to eight at 49-41 with 2:19 remaining. The advantage grew back to 10 points at 53-43 at the 1:20 mark.
 
The Jets kept it interesting in the final 35 seconds. After a free throw put OC up 56-46, Ledoux hit a 3 to cut the deficit to seven at 56-49. The Eagles went 1-for-2 from the line on their next possession, and Ledoux knocked down her second straight triple for a five-point deficit, 57-52, with 22 seconds remaining. The Jets missed their last three shots, and the Eagles went 3-for-4 from the line in the final 18 seconds for the 60-52 final score.  
 
In the first half, NU started fast, pulling out to an 8-2 advantage in the first 4 minutes. DaJah Thompson made a jumper, and Kesha Buckner increased the score to 5-2 with a three-point play at the 17:15 mark. Brianna Caldwell hit from deep at the 15:42 mark for the 8-2 score.
 
OC responded with an 11-0 run in the next three minutes to take a 13-8 lead with 12:25 left in the half. The rest of the first half remained close, and the Eagles held a 28-26 edge at the break.
 
NU shot 27.9 percent (17-61) from the field, including only 23.7 percent (9-38) in the second half. The Jets finished at 34.6 percent (9-26) from 3.
 
Ledoux scored a team-high 14 points, hitting two 3s late in the contest. The senior shot 20 percent (4-20) from the field. Tjaden added 11 points and five assists. Thompson pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Buckner had five steals, totaling 49 steals on the season.
 
NU's defense held OC to 60 points and 40.5 percent (17-42) from the field. The Eagles finished at 56.1 percent (23-41) from the free throw line.
 
McKenzie Stanford totaled a game-high of 17 points. She added six rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
 
The Jets continue its three-game road trip next Thursday (Jan. 22) at UA Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Ark. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.