FORT SMITH, Ark. – The Newman women's basketball hung with UA Fort Smith, but the Lady Lions pulled away late, 58-44, to down the Jets on Thursday (Jan. 22) at the Stubblefield Center. NU dropped to 5-11 and 2-6 in the Heartland Conference.
 
In a low scoring first half, the host Lions pulled out to a nine point advantage in the first 15 minutes at 25-16 with 5:07 remaining in the half. A layup put UAFS up by nine points.
 
The Jets ended the first half with a 7-1 run to trail by only three points, 26-23, after the first 20 minutes. Kesha Buckner gave the Jets a spark by hitting two free throws with 2:24 left, and Shakira Raynor's layup with 1:54 remaining pulled NU to within five at 25-20. Brianna Caldwell knocked down a 3-pointer at the 1:27 mark for a 25-23 score. The Lions made one free throw late for the 26-23 halftime score.
 
In the second half, NU hung with the Lions for the first 10 minutes, trailing by three points, 38-35, with 9:23 remaining after a Raynor jumper.
 
The Lions went on a 9-1 run in the next 4 minutes to pull away at 47-36 with 5:40 remaining. Two consecutive UAFS layups increased their edge to seven points, 42-35. After the Jets went 1-for-2 from the free throw line, UAFS scored five straight points, including a 3 at the 5:40 mark for the 47-36 score. UAFS's Jasmine Brainard scored the final seven points of the run.
 
NU didn't go away, cutting the deficit to four points at 48-44 with 3:08 left on a Caldwell triple. Five Jet free throws helped NU make an 8-1 to still have a chance.
 
UAFS scored 10 straight points to end the game and take a 58-44 win.  
 
Sophomore Brianna Caldwell scored a game-high 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers. She finished going 4-of-12 from long distance. Kesha Buckner totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. She shot 15 free throws, making nine.  
 
The Jets shot only 29.2 percent (14-48) from the field and 21.1 percent (4-19) from 3-point distance. From the free throw line, NU went 63.2 percent (12-19).
 
UAFS finished at 35.5 percent (22-62) and only 18.5 percent (5-27) from 3. The Lions struggled from the free throw line, going 9-of-19 for 47.4 percent. The home team dominated on the boards, holding a 49-35 rebounding advantage. The Lions totaled 19 offensive rebounds to eight from NU.
 
Angi Ramey tallied a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. Jasmine Brainard scored 14 points, and Sydney Franklin poured in 11 points.
 
The Jets end their three-game road trip on Saturday (Jan. 24) at Rogers State in Claremore, Okla. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.