WICHITA, KAN – The Newman University women's basketball team bounced back on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 10) picking up a relentless 65-60 victory over Midwestern State University in the final day of the Heartland – Lone Star Challenge.
The Newman offense started off sluggish for the second consecutive game going empty handed in their first four possession to start the contest. Forward, Mel George came off the bench providing big buckets late in the quarter giving the Jets their first lead 14-13, with 1:47 left in the quarter. George knocked down her second jumper beating the buzzer giving the Jets a 17-13 lead after one. The Jets closed the quarter on a 10-0 run holding the Mustangs scoreless in the final 4:15.
After trailing by as many as six just a minute into the second quarter the Mustangs used a 13-0 run taking the lead back at 27-22 with 4:06 left in the half. Junior guard, Kaitlyn Potter knocked down her second 3-pointer from deep ending the Jets 5:08 scoring drought. The Jets headed into the locker room trailing 34-30, being outscored by eight in the quarter.
Both teams struggled to find the net as the two teams combined 0-10 from the field to start the third quarter. Bria DeGrate ended the scoring drought sinking 1-2 from the free throw line with 6:16 to play in the third. The Jets found Kaitlyn Potter once again behind the 3-point line ending the 4:26 scoring drought tying the game up at 36-36 midway through the third. The Jets closed the quarter on a 5-0 run heading into the fourth quarter leading 47-41.
Sophomore forward, Abbey George set the tone early in the fourth quarter knocking down back-to-back old fashion three point plays off Mustang turnovers, giving the Jets a 52-41 lead with 8:33 to play. The Mustangs would not go away using a 6-0 run cutting the Jets lead down to four with 37 seconds left. DeDe Johnson hit both two free throws with 5 seconds left, putting the game out of reach.
Senior guard, Bria DeGrate led the Jets in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, recording her first double-double of the season. DeDe Johnson finished with 11 points.
The Jets will be back in action Friday (Nov. 17) against Dallas Christian at the MSU Ashbrook Classic in Wichita Falls, TX.
