WICHITA, Kan. – A second half comeback for the Newman women's basketball team fell just short on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 9) as the Jets suffered a gut wrenching 68-66 loss to the Hilltoppers of St. Edward's. The Jets fell to 14-9 overall and 5-4 in the Heartland, while St. Edward's moved to 13-11 in 2018-19, and 5-5 in the conference.
Despite a sloppy opening 4-minutes of play, the Jets managed to keep the Hilltoppers within arm's reach. The Newman offense struggled shooting an ice cold 2-of-11 over the first three minutes of action. Even with the early offensive struggles Newman managed to stay close with a 5-0 run cutting the Hilltoppers lead to 8-7 just after the midway point of the first quarter. The Hilltoppers closed the quarter on a 6-1 run leading 20-13 after the first quarter.
From the start of the second quarter, the Hilltoppers would stretch their lead to double-digits 24-13, scoring the first four points to begin the quarter. Dede Johnson connected on back-to-back jumpers trimming the Newman deficit back to single digits 24-17 for the final time of the quarter. St. Edward's would answer back with an 11-0 run after knocking down three triples stretching the lead to their largest of the game 35-17 with 4:58 to play. St. Edward's hot shooting would continue down the final minutes of second half outscoring the Jets 6-2 taking a 41-24 lead into the break.
It appeared that the Jets would keep it a tight game after the early minutes of the third quarter, with Mason-Vestal converting on a three point play and Bria DeGrate knocking down her second triple of the game pulling the Jets to within 43-30. The Jets defensive pressure picked up in the third quarter leading to great offense on the other side and open outside looks. With 3:37 to play in the third quarter Kaitlyn Potter dialed up her third triple of the game trimming the Jets deficit to single digits 51-42 for the first time since the 7:47 mark in the second quarter. The Jets closed the quarter on a 6-0 run after back-to-back triples by Johnson and Haley Albers trailing 52-45.
Despite falling behind by double-digits 59-48 with 7:34 to play, the Jets would not go away storming back with a 6-0 run after four Potter free throws. The Jets continued to fight back forcing the game's first tie 64-64 with 27-seconds left after a pair of Abbey George free throws. A pair of Hilltopper free throws decided the outcome 66-64 with 2-seconds left as the Jets failed to get a potential game tying or game winning attempt off before the final buzzer.
The Jets finished with five players in double-digit scoring for the first time this season. Dede Johnson, Faith Mason Vestal and Kaitlyn Potter all finished with 13 points. Bria DeGrate added in 10 points, while Abbey George finished with 10 points along with hauling in seven rebounds.
The Jets will make their farthest road trip of the season as they head down south to San Antonio, Texas where they will begin the first of two games on the trip against the St. Mary's Rattlers. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Bill Greehey Arena.
