MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Women's Basketball opened their season in the first of two games in Arkansas this weekend, in a losing effort to the Southern Arkansas Muleriders. 

The game marked the coaching debut of Amy Briggs for Newman, looking to build upon the successes of the last season. 

The Jets got on the board first, with Valeriya Lioukina finding a layup to put the Jets up early. It would be one of the only times in the game that the Jets would lead. The Muleriders then went on to score seven straight, before Amiya Josey hit a big three. Josey would be one of the Jets top performers in the half, including scoring 10 of the Jets first 12 points. 

Josey's hot hand helped the Jets get back in front for a brief period, but the offense started to struggle with Southern Arkansas's high pressing defense and was unable to muster much for the rest of the quarter. The Muleriders would score the final 10 points of the quarter to go up 23-14. 

The 2nd quarter was all Southern Arkansas, forcing multiple Jet turnovers and scoring off the fast break. SAU would take a 42-25 halftime advantage, and it would be one that they would continue to grow in the second half. 

After a 10-0 run to start the half, Carissa Beck hit a three, which was only the second three pointer of the game for the Jets up to that point. 

It was a long half for Newman, with more SAU scoring run's putting the game out of reach. 

Lioukina would get a double-double in the 4th quarter, finishing the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was one of the few bright spots in a game that the Jets struggled to stay in after the opening quarter. 

Josey led the team in scoring with 12 points, 10 of which came in her dominant opening quarter performance. Freshman Delainey Wylie led the team in rebounds, snatching 12 in her collegiate debut. 

Newman returns to action tomorrow night, taking on Arkansas-Monticello at 9 pm.