WICHITA, KAN – A combination of poor shooting and an early deficit spoiled the Newman University women's basketball season opener, falling to Cameron University 80-74 at the Fugate Gym Friday evening (Nov. 9) in the Heartland – Lone Star Challenge.
The Jets (0-1) came out flat early in the first quarter falling behind 6-0. Bria DeGrate put the Jets on the board with a layup halting the Aggies 6-0 run. The Jets cut the Aggies lead to 8-7 after DeDe Johnson knocked in a trey just before the midway part of the first quarter. The Jets' cold shooting continued while the Aggies warmed up quickly from beyond the 3-point line rattling in 4 of their 6 made three pointers in the quarter. The Aggies closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run, leading 25-9 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Aggies continued to shoot lights out gaining their largest lead of the game 35-15 with 6:35 left in the first half. The Jets' defensive intensity picked up lifting the offensive struggles early on after steals and layups from sophomore Rylee Meloy and Bria DeGrate cutting the Aggies lead to 35-21 with 5:02 left in the half. Just 2 minutes and 50 seconds later a layup underneath from Haley Albers cut the Aggies lead down to single digits for the first time since the 2:49 mark in the first quarter. Junior guard, Kaitlyn Potter nailed home her first Jet trey cutting the Aggies lead to 39-32 at the break. The Jets closed the second quarter on a 17-4 run, outscoring Cameron 23-14 in the quarter.
The Jets defensive intensity continued to stiffen the Aggies offense in the third quarter, creating turnovers that led to easy baskets on the offensive side. Senior forward, Mel George came up huge with back-to-back layups underneath trimming the Cameron lead down to five at 41-36 with 8:33 to play in the third. Sophomore dual threat post and outside shooter Haley Albers nailed her only two 3-pointers giving the Jets their first lead at 47-45 with 4:38 left in the third quarter. Braxtyn Stewart gave the Jets their largest lead at 61-55 heading into fourth quarter. Newman's defense forced eight Cameron turnovers in the third quarter.
DeGrate layup put the Jets ahead 65-57 with 6:36 to play, however the Aggies offense quickly got red hot again. The Aggies clawed back regaining a 67-65 lead after a 10-0 run. Braxtyn Stewart quickly answered coming right off the bench nailing the go ahead corner trey jumping the Jets back in front 68-67 with 3:25 to play. Cameron regained the lead converting on four straight free throws down the stretch sealing the game 80-74.
Senior guard Bria DeGrate led the Jets in scoring with 18 points, adding 5 rebounds to her solid opening night. DeDe Johnson finished with 12 points, dishing out a team high 4 assists.
The Jets will have to regroup quickly as they face Midwestern State Saturday afternoon (Nov. 10) at 4 p.m. inside Fugate Gym. Midwestern State dropped their season opener Friday evening to Oklahoma Christian 76-75 in the Heartland – Lone Star Challenge.
