ODESSA, Texas – The Newman women's basketball team rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Texas-Permian Basin, 67-63, on Thursday (Feb. 26) at the Falcon Dome. The Jets moved to 9-16 and 6-11 in the Heartland Conference. UTPB dropped to 14-11 and 8-9 in the conference.
 
With the Jets holding on to a slight 63-62 edge and the Falcons in possession with 6 seconds left, Kesha Buckner came up with a key steal and made a layup with 2 seconds remaining for a 65-62 NU advantage.
 
The Jets fouled UTPB with 2 seconds left, not allowing the Falcons to get a last second three-point attempt. UTPB's Brianna Jones made the first; however, Buckner secured the rebound on the second free throw. With 1 second remaining, Brianna Caldwell put the game away with two made free throws for a 67-63 lead.
 
Sophomore Mali Wright scored a team-high 18 points, including 14 points in the first half. She finished shooting 8-of-11 from the field. Buckner totaled 15 points, nine rebounds, five steals and four assists. Caldwell added 12 points, going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
 
NU shot 45.6 percent (26-57) from the field, including 55.2 percent (16-29) in the second half. From 3-point range, the Jets finished at 50 percent (5-10).
 
UTPB's Valerie Barriga scored a game-high 20 points. She played all 40 minutes and shot 5-of-11 from the field.  
 
The Jet defense held UTPB to 38.5 percent (20-52) from the field, including 29.6 percent (8-27) in the second half.
 
The Jets travel to St. Edward's on Saturday (Feb. 28) for their final game of the season at 1 p.m. in Austin, Texas.