TOPEKA, Kan. — Newman University women's basketball team used an 11-2 run in the final 1:48 Saturday (Nov. 24) to defeat Montevallo 70-65 in the final day of the Parrish Hotels Thanksgiving Classic. The Jets improve their win streak to two straight and improve on the season to 5-2.
The Jets once again for the second straight day started out strong opening the game on a 7-0 run just 3:12 into the opening quarter. The Jets held the Falcons to just one of 12 shooting from the field leading up to the media timeout with 4:28 left in the quarter. Kailtyn Potter continued to be a threat from behind the 3-point line knocking down two of her games five 3-pointers, giving the Jets the 15-8 lead after the first 10 minutes.
After gaining a nine point edge in the opening minute of the second quarter, the Falcons battled back with an 11-2 run evening the score up at 19-19 with 6:29 to go in the quarter. The Jets put a quick end to the Falcons run clawing back with a 7-0 run capping it off with another Potter 3-pointer with 3:51 to play in the half. The Jets headed into the halftime break in front 31-25.
Midway through the third quarter senior guard Bria DeGrate took over scoring six of the final 14 points for the Jets. The Falcons held the Jets scoreless for the final 2:35 clawing back cutting the Newman lead down to 50-49 heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Falcons jumped out to their first lead of the game 27 seconds into the quarter. Montevallo gained full momentum extending their lead out to 63-59 with 3:07 to play forcing a timeout by the Jets. Newman however would not go away quietly relying on seniors, Dede Johnson and DeGrate. Johnson started the comeback nailing a 3-pointer cutting the lead to 1. The Falcons came back down answering with a 3-pointer of their own. DeGrate had other plans nailing consecutive 3-pointers gaining the lead for good at 68-65. Potter sunk home two free throws with a second left sealing the 75-60 win.
Three Jets finished in double digit scoring with DeGrate leading the way with 22 points and eight assists. Potter finished with 17, while Johnson added 12 points.
The Jets will head back to the states capital Tuesday evening (Nov. 27) against Washburn with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Lee Arena.
