WICHITA, Kan. – After trailing by as many as 13 points early in the second half, the Newman women's basketball team rallied behind senior guard, Bria DeGrate's career high performance, capping off the comeback victory, 72-64 Thursday evening (Jan. 17) inside the Fugate Gymnasium. The Jets improved to 11-5 on the year and move to 2-0 in Heartland Conference play, while the Rattlers fall to 11-4 on the season and drop to 1-2 in conference play.
The Jets came out sluggish despite gaining an early 2-0 lead just 0:40 seconds into the contest, however the Rattlers came storming back, scoring 13 unanswered points just before the midway point of the quarter. Forward, Mel George knocked down a pair of free throws ending the Newman 5:23 scoring drought and 13-0 St. Mary's run. The Jets cut into the Rattler's lead as Kaitlyn Potter knocked down a pair of three pointers, one of which came at the first quarter buzzer cutting the Rattlers lead to 19-12.
The Rattlers came out firing from long distance to begin the second quarter knocking down back-to-back treys against the Newman zone, extending the Newman deficit back out to 25-12. Potter continued to give the Jets chances just before the midway point of the second quarter drilling her third three-pointer of the half cutting the lead back down to seven, 29-22. The Rattlers jumped back out to a 13 point lead, 43-30 with 8 seconds to play in the half, connecting on their seventh three pointer of the first half.
Out of the halftime break, the Jets rode the energy provided by senior guard, Bria DeGrate. DeGrate quickly took over the game scoring seven of the Jets nine points during an opening 9-0 run to begin the third, cutting the Rattlers lead down to 43-39 with 6:55 to play. The Jets' offense continued running the court in transition leading to wide open back-to-back DeGrate three pointers, trimming the Rattlers lead down to a one possession game, 47-45 with just under five minutes left in the third. Outside shooting continued to stay red hot for the Jets after Dede Johnson nailed a third straight Jets triple cutting the lead to 49-48 with just four minutes to play in the third. DeGrate ended the third quarter scoring 15 of the Jets 20 third quarter points on eight of nine shooting from the field.
After trailing 54-52 to begin the final quarter, Potter put the Jets in-front 57-56 with 8:16 to play hitting her fifth trey of the night giving the Jets their first lead since 2-0 with 9:20 to play in the first quarter. The Jets continued to ride the momentum as forward, Haley Albers backed Potter's triple with one of her own during a 10-0 run jolting the Jets to a 60-56 lead with 7:25 to play. The Rattlers would cut the Jets lead down to three with 6:24 to play before the Jets converted on four of their final six free throws sealing the 72-64 comeback win. Sophomore, Abbey George provided some big time minutes down the stretch scoring six of her games eight points in the fourth quarter.
DeGrate led the way for the Jets setting a new career high 27 points, while also pulling down six rebounds. Potter extended her double-digit scoring streak to three straight games finishing with 21 points knocking in five three pointers.
The Jets will continued their homestead Saturday afternoon (Jan. 19) against Texas A&M International. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. inside the Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan.
