LAREDO, Texas — Continually building on its lead, the Newman women's basketball team led the whole way to get back in the win column with an 89-63 victory against Texas A&M International Saturday in Heartland Conference action.
KEY SEQUENCE
While the Jets (12-7, 4-2 Heartland) were never seriously threatened, a pair of five-point runs late in the first half helped extend the lead against the Dustdevils (2-16, 0-4 Heartland). Haley Albers and Abbey George hit back-to-back buckets with five minutes left before halftime, and Hannah Alexander converted a three-point play later to help make it a 16-point game at the break.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Albers buried a 3-pointer on the opening possession to give the Jets the lead for good. Later in the first quarter, Nia Roberts hit two treys in a span of 21 seconds to build the Newman lead to double digits for the first time at 27-17.
-Alexander started getting a hot hand in the second, scoring Newman's first 11 points of the quarter, all in under four minutes. Her second 3-pointer of the frame mad it a 13-point lead at the 6:36 mark, and the rally just before the half extended the lead.
-The Dustdevils would cut the lead back down to 12 on three occasions in the third, but the Jets answered the next time down the court each time. The final time saw Newman go on a 5-0 run, with Alexander putting together another three-point play, and Jazzmen Ortiz hitting a pair of free throws to make it 64-47.
-The Jets went on a pair of runs in the fourth period to thwart any comeback attempt by TAMIU. A 6-0 run started the quarter, and a 9-0 burst in the middle portion pushed the lead to 22.
NOTES
-Alexander matched her career high of 33 points for the second time this season. She had the hot hand from beyond the arc, going 4-for-6, and — after not reaching the free throw line Thursday against St. Mary's — went 9-for-11 from the line. The senior also pulled in 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
-The Jets got back into an offensive rhythm, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 10-of-20 from 3-point range to net 89 points.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jets return home to play their final nonconference game of the season Wednesday against Randall at Fugate Gymnasium.
