WICHITA, Kan. — Looking to finish up the regular season on a strong note before heading to the Heartland Conference tournament, the Newman women's basketball team will play two final league games during an exciting weekend of basketball at Fugate Gymnasium.
With Homecoming festivities slated for Thursday surrounding the game against Texas-Permian Basin and Senior Day taking place Saturday against St. Edward's, free food, t-shirts and games will highlight an excellent game atmosphere.
SCOUTING NEWMAN
The Jets (10-14, 4-12 Heartland) took a pair of tough losses in their final conference roadtrip of the season last weekend, falling by a score of 75-65 to Arkansas-Fort Smith after hanging tight most of the game, and forcing overtime before falling to Rogers State 63-58 Saturday. Shaunice Robinson posted 25 points and six rebounds against the Hillcats, while Natalia Hausmann went for 19 and seven against the Lions.
LEADERS
Shaunice Robinson, Senior-13.0 ppg, 2.3 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 spg, 81.1 FT%
Natalia Hausmann, Junior-6.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
Erica Olerich, Junior-4.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 41.4 FG%
Bria DeGrate, Freshman-6.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 30.2 3FG%
Cierra Tjaden, Junior-4.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 76.9 FT%
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
TEXAS-PERMIAN BASIN
The Falcons (6-20, 2-14 Heartland) grabbed their second conference victory of the season last Thursday over Oklahoma Panhandle State, topping the Aggies 89-74. That was followed up with a shot at the No. 1 team in the country in Lubbock Christian, a 109-56 win for the Lady Chaps. Khadijah Vigil finished the weekend with 25 points and five rebounds.
LEADERS
Niniva Taito, Junior-13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 38.8 3FG%
Khadijah Vigil, Junior-9.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 51.2 FG%
Jau'nae Peevy, Junior-7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.7 spg
Shanna Taylor, Senior-7.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.2 apg
Victoria Lopez, Sophomore-4.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
ST. EDWARD'S
The Hilltoppers (10-14, 8-8 Heartland) have won two of their last three to stick at .500 in conference play, falling to LCU 95-44 before turning around to beat OPSU 74-63. Khiani Clark netted 25 and nine rebounds against the Aggies, while Shakera Barns and Ateh Ade each reached double figures against the Chaps.
LEADERS
Shakera Barnes-14.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 spg, 47.5 FG%
Khiani Clark-12.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 58.0 FG%
Abby Hopper-6.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Haley Joly-4.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 84.2 FT%
Kayla Goebel-3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg
HISTORY LESSON
The Jets snagged their first Heartland victory of the season by turning back UTPB 69-63 on Dec. 19. It was the second straight win in the series for Newman, which has won four of five and seven of 10 against the Falcons. The all-time series has Newman with a narrow 9-8 advantage.
St. Edward's went ahead and pulled away in the fourth quarter in the teams' first meeting this season, winning 63-55 to continue a streak of flip-flopping victories. Tjaden and Olerich had eight points each in that contest, while the Hilltoppers lead the overall series 10-8.
NOTES
-The Jets have locked up their fourth conference tournament berth in the past five years, and will likely be the seventh seed in the field. That position will be solidified with a win in either game this weekend, or if UTPB — the team chasing the Jets — loses either.
-Newman has won the second game in the season series in each of the last five years against the Hilltoppers, no matter if the contest is at home or on the road.
-Barnes is second in the conference and 30th in the nation with her 5.0 assists per game, while Clark continues to be a force on the glass, sitting 12th in the country with 4.0 offensive rebounds per game.
COVERAGE
Live video, audio and statistics for both Thursday's and Saturday's games will be available at www.newmanjets.com.
