TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Newman Jets dropped their MIAA opener against Northeastern State 66-60. The Jets had a five point lead with a little over 3 minutes left to play. NSU went on a 14-3 run to close out the Jets and secure a six point victory over the Jets.
The Jets trailed from the jump as the first quarter was full of ups and downs for both teams with Northeastern State taking a 9-6 lead into the first break. Both offenses would improve in the trailing quarters as the Riverhawks would out score the Jets in the second quarter by two to take a four point lead into the half, 24-20. Despite Northeastern State building up a nine point lead early in the third, Newman fought back to take their first lead of the game as
Faith Mason-Vestal would make a layup with just under 5 minutes to play in the quarter. Northeastern would answer right back and build up a 7 point lead heading into the final period of play.
The Jets took their first lead of the fourth quarter at 6:35 mark as two
Amoni White free throws gave them a 49-47 lead. Earlier in the quarter,
Kaitlyn Potter hit back to back threes to cut into a seven point Riverhawks lead giving Newman chance to tie the game or take the lead. After a NSU (3-5,1-0) free throw made took the lead back to two with just over seven and a half minutes to play,
Michaela Mack would make a jumper to spark a 10-3 run over the next four minutes for the Jets.
Despite shooting just 15% in the first quarter, the Jets finished shooting 41%, 23 of 56, from the field and 37.5%, 6-16, from three. Newman shot over 56% from the field in the fourth quarter and 50% from three, their best shooting quarter of the night. The Riverhawks shot 23 of 50 for 46% from the field and 9 of 19 for 47% from three. Newman outscored Northeastern 32-22 in the paint and had 12 points on NSU turnovers. Newman's bench also had 21 points to NSU's 14. The Jets also out rebounded their opponent by three 31-28.
The Jets were led by
Bailey Hawkins with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Kaitlyn Potter was not far behind with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Newman (3-5,0-1) will be back in action on Saturday, December 7 as they continue MIAA Conference play at Rogers State at 2:00 P.M.