WICHITA, Kan. — Strong outside shooting helped the Newman University women's basketball team cruise past the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College, 84-50 on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 31). The Jets improved to 8-5 overall on the season, while the contest counted as an exhibition game for the Moundbuilders.
Despite having 11 days off due to the holiday break, the Jets showed no signs of rust, firing on all cylinders jumping out to an early 5-0 lead just 1:03 into the contest. After the Mounbuilders answered back with a 5-0 run tying the game, guard Kaitlyn Potter caught fire knocking down a pair of triples off the bench boosting the Jets' offense. The strong shooting continued for the Jets, closing the quarter on an 18-2 run taking a 23-7 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter started out much like the first quarter as the Jets jumped out to a 19 point lead after Bria DeGrate drilled the Jets sixth, three pointer of the first half with 8:34 to play. The Jets offense quickly went cold, missing nine straight attempts in a span of 4:41. Despite the scoreless stretch, the Newman defense stood ground keeping the lead at 16. Sophomore Braxtyn Stewart ended the Jets scoreless streak netting a triple putting the Jets back up by 19 with just over two minutes left in the half. The shooting woes continued for the Jets, as Southwestern closed the half on a 7-0 run cutting the Jets lead to 35-21 at the break.
The Newman offense quickly got back on track early in the third, with a 9-3 run jumping back in front by 19, 44-25. DeGrate took over late in the quarter, knocking down back-to-back three pointer's including a buzzer beating trey as time expired. DeGrate scored eight of the Jets final 10 points of the quarter, putting the Jets in cruise control heading into the fourth, 57-34.
In the fourth quarter, the Jets stayed hot from behind the three point line, hitting four more three pointers setting a new season high, making 14 three pointers. Forward, Hayley Albers caught the hot hand scoring 12 of her games 14 points in the final quarter. The Jets closed the game on 5-0 run, routing to an 84-50 victory.
Degrate and Albers were the lone Jets to finish in double-digit scoring. Abbey George led the Jets with eight rebounds.
The Jets will have a week off before returning to the court on Monday evening (Jan. 7) against Randall. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.
