WICHITA, Kan. – The Newman women's basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit late Thursday evening (Feb. 21) inside the Fugate Gymnasium knocking off the 20th ranked Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian 69-67. The Jets improve to 17-9 on the year and move to 8-4 in the Heartland Conference, while the Chaparrals fall to 21-5 on the year and 11-1 in Heartland play, snapping their 29-game conference win streak.

Early on it was the Faith Mason-Vestal show as she accommodated for the first six Newman points. The Chaparrals hot shooting from outside gained the early control as LCU knocked down 4 of their 5 first quarter three pointers jumping out to a 25-12 lead after the first quarter.

Falling behind by as many as 12 with 8:27 to play early in the second quarter, the Newman defensive rallied back holding the No. 20 ranked Chaparrals to just six second quarter points, forcing nine turnovers in the quarter. Mason-Vestal and Bria DeGrate got the offense going with a 10-0 run as the Jets clawed their way back to within two, 29-27 over the next 6:35. The Chaparrals ended a 7:03 scoreless drought with a jumper just before the halftime buzzer taking a 31-27 lead into the halftime break.

Out of the halftime break, the Chaparrals stretched their lead back out to double-digits 41-31 with 5:59 to play in the quarter. DeGrate continued to carry the workload scoring nine straight Newman points cutting the LCU deficit to 44-40 with 3:23 to play. However the Chaparrals offense continued to answer back with big shots stretching their lead out to 52-45 after the third quarter.

In the opening minute of the fourth quarter Mason-Vestal opened the scoring converting on an old fashion three point play trimming the LCU lead, 52-48. Meanwhile LCU answered back with clutch outside shots extending the lead back to double-digits 61-51 with 3:09 to play. Looking as if the game was out of arms reach, the Jets' offense had other plans, catching fire making four straight field goal attempts. Sophomore Haley Albers converted on all three free throw attempts giving Newman their first lead of the game 64-63 with 48-seconds left capping the 13-2 Newman run.

Over the final 40-seconds the two teams would exchange the lead four different times as both teams managed to get to the free throw line. A pair of LCU free throws with 17-seconds left put the Chaparrals back in front 67-66. With just 5-seconds remaining DeGrate was fouled inside the restricted circle leading to a pair of Jets free throws putting Newman in-front for the final time 68-67. Michaela Mack would give the Jets a two point advantage knocking down 1-of-2 free throw attempts making it 69-67. LCU would throw up a last second heave falling short, as the Jets completed the thrilling comeback win.    

Bria DeGrate led the way for the Jets finishing with 26 points on 6-of-8 shooting from behind the three point line. Freshman, Faith Mason-Vestal had almost a perfect game finishing 9-of-12 shooting from the field finishing with a new career high 25 points.  

The Jets will continue the three game homestead Wednesday night (Feb. 27) against Rogers State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan.