OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Newman women's basketball team started its second straight weekend of conference road games by traveling down to Oklahoma Christian Thursday evening but fell 86-79.
 
KEY SEQUENCE
 
After a back and forth contest that saw seven ties and 11 lead changes throughout the game the Jets (13-7, 3-5 Heartland) were within one point of the Eagles (10-11, 5-4 Heartland) lead late in the game but could not get over the hump due to OC's free throw shooting at the end.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
-Mali Wright got things started scoring the first basket of the game to make the score 2-0 early on and Hannah Alexander cashed in on two free throws to put the Jets back out in front at 4-3.
 
-A quick 8-0 run starting at the 3:21 mark in the first quarter pushed Newman back into the lead at 18-16. Jazzmen Ortiz scored six points during the run, while Alexander added two points.
 
-The Jets got another run going that started at the end of the first quarter and leaked into the beginning of the second quarter. The 7-0 run was led by Wright with four made free throws, while Bria DeGrate added a 3-pointer to make the score 25-20 with 7:06 to play in the second quarter.
 
-Newman would end the second quarter on a 7-2 run and take a 40-35 lead into halftime. Wright, DeGrate and Cierra Tjaden each had two points, while Natalia Hausmann chipped in one during the 7-2 run.
 
-The Jets would get out to their biggest lead of the game at 60-51 with the help of a quick 5-0 run late in the third quarter. Sheanna James would knock down two free throws and Wright converted on a layup and hit the free throw due to the foul.
 
-Newman held a 64-56 lead after three quarters of play but the Eagles would climb back into it and retake the lead at 68-67 with 8:06 left in regulation. Alexander would hit back-to-back jumpers to give the Jets a temporary lead at 71-70 with 7:01 to play.
 
-The Jets would be within one point of the Oklahoma Christian lead at 76-75 when Wright made a layup with 2:16 to play but the Eagles would maintain the lead throughout the remainder of the game by knocking down free throws to win 86-79.
 
LEADERS
 
Newman
Points: Wright, 23. Assists: Tjaden, 4. Rebounds: Hausmann, 7. Blocks: Hausmann, 1. Steals: Hausmann, 4.
 
Oklahoma Christian
Points: Addy Clift, 33. Assists: Clift, 2. Rebounds: McKenzie Stanford, 11. Blocks: Kylee Hicks, 1. Steals: Clift, 4.
 
NOTES
 
-Wright tied a season-high in points with 23, matching her mark against Southwestern back on Dec. 5. She also recorded five rebounds, two assists and one steal while playing 29 minutes.
 
-The five starters all shot over 50 percent from the field with Wright and Tjaden leading the way by shooting 60 percent each.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Jets continue their expedition by traveling down to St. Edward's and take on the Hilltoppers at 1 p.m. Saturday.