WICHITA, Kan. –Completing the Heartland/RMAC Challenge against Regis Saturday afternoon at Fugate Gymnasium, a game that was back and forth throughout all four quarters saw the Newman women's basketball drop a close 58-54 contest to complete the first weekend of the regular season.
 
KEY SEQUENCE
 
The Jets (0-2) trailed by two points with the score at 52-50 with less than a minute to play in regulation when a Ranger (2-0) player launched a contested 3-pointer and sunk it to make the score 55-50 with 32 seconds left, which was the deciding factor in the 58-54 game.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
-Mali Wright would get Newman on the board first with a layup at the 8:45 mark in the first quarter. Bria DeGrate would score the Jets next eight points with two 3-pointers and two free throws to make it 10-7 Newman late in the first quarter.
 
-The Jets would take a 15-14 lead after one quarter of play. DeGrate would score the first-second quarter basket to put them back out in front 17-16 with 9:26 to play in the first half.
 
-Newman would go on a bit of dry spell for the middle half of the second quarter but an Iva Krstevska 3-pointer would bring the Jets within one point with 1:51 remaining in the first half.
 
-Hannah Alexander would put the Jets out in front at 24-23 with 1:16 left in the first half, then Krstevska would score another basket to make it 26-23 with 20 seconds to go but the Rangers would score a basket of their own to make it 26-25 Newman at halftime.
 
-Alexander scored the first-seven points of the third quarter for Newman with two jumpers and one three, while DeGrate scored the final four points of the third quarter to give the Jets a 40-39 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
 
-Newman would hold a 47-43 lead after a Sheanna James jumper but Regis would climb back in it after a big 3-pointer to make it 49-47 with 3:18 remaining in regulation.
 
-DeGrate would sink a free throw with 57 seconds in regulation to make it 52-50 but the Rangers would hit another three to make it 55-50 with 32 seconds. The Jets would hit a pair of free throws and make a layup late to make the score 56-54 but Regis would hang on to win 58-54 over Newman.
 
LEADERS
 
Newman
Points: DeGrate, 17. Assists: Cierra Tjaden, 5. Rebounds: Wright, 8. Steals: Jazzmen Ortiz, DeGrate, 3.
 
Regis
Points: Mary Sigler, Kaylie Rader, 19. Assists: Majestie Robinson, 4. Rebounds: Rader, 13. Steals: Lena Jaycox, 1.
 
NOTES
 
-Both Wright and DeGrate have scored in double-digits both games this season. After two games DeGrate is averaging 16.0 PPG and Wright 14.5 PPG.
 
-Once again the Jet defense forced more turnovers than they committed in a game. After two games this season Newman has forced a combined 41 turnovers.
 
-DeGrate was named to the all-tournament team following this weekend's games. In Heartland/RMAC Challenge she averaged 16.0 PPG on 43.5-percent shooting and totaled five steals.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Jets host Central Christian (Mo.) Monday evening at Fugate Gymnasium to kick off another week of nonconference play.