LAREDO, Texas. – After overcoming a rough start in the first half, the Newman women's basketball team used a strong third quarter Saturday afternoon (Feb. 16) as they defeated Texas A&M International 60-48. Newman improves to 16-9 on the year and 7-4 in the Heartland.
Despite a rough opening quarter of play, Newman managed to keep the Dustdevils within reach. The Jets' offense got off to dreadful start shooting just 4-of-15 from the field in the first ten minutes of action. The Dustdevils outside shooting built an early 15-12 lead after the opening quarter drilling 3-of-6 three pointers.
In the second quarter, Abbey George would score two of her eight first half points with a layup underneath giving Newman a 17-15 lead with 8:28 to play in the second quarter. However the lead would not last for long as the Dustdevils offense jumped back with an 8-0 run over the next 2:28 jumping out to their largest lead of the first half 23-17. Junior, Kaitlyn Potter would get the offense back on track scoring six straight points for the Jets trimming the lead to just three, 26-23 with 4:23 to play in the second quarter. Braxtyn Stewart connected on Newman's second three pointer of the half capping a 10-2 run to close the half as the Jets took a 29-28 lead into the break.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Jets were on a mission as Bria DeGrate scored the first four points extending the Newman lead to 33-28 just a minute into the third. The Newman pressure picked up causing havoc for TAMIU as the Dustdevils would turn the ball over five times over the Jets 7-0 run in a stretch of 3:50 as Newman jumped out to a 44-33 lead. The Jets outscored the Dustdevils 18-9 in the third quarter taking a 47-37 lead into the fourth quarter.
Texas A&M International trimmed the Jets lead to seven 49-42 with just 8 minutes to play until a Haley Albers trey ended a 2:16 scoreless drought. The Jets would put the game away with 2 minutes to play as Dede Johnson extended to Newman lead to their largest of the game 60-46. The Jets would go scoreless over the final two minutes as the Newman defense stood ground allowing just two points in the final minutes picking up the season sweep over the Dustdevils.
Newman finished with four players in double-digit scoring for the third straight game. Haley Albers scored a team high 12 points off the bench while hauling in five rebounds. Bria DeGrate finished one rebound shy of a double-double recording 11 points and nine rebounds. Kaitlyn Potter contributed with 11 points off the bench. Abbey George added in 10 points, while pulling down nine rebounds.
The Jets will return home to begin the first of three straight home games to conclude the regular season Thursday (Feb. 21) for Homecoming, against No. 22 Lubbock Christian. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan.
