Games 1 & 2:
Newman 0-0 (0-0 MIAA) at Central Region Preview
 
 vs. Southern Arkansas 0-0 (0-0 GAC)
Friday, November 10, 2023 | 5:00 PM | Magnolia, AR (W.T. Watson Athletic Center)
Audio: none | Video: YouTube | Stats
 
vs. University of Arkansas at Monticello 0-0 (0-0 GAC)
Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 9:00 PM | Magnolia, AR (W.T. Watson Athletic Center)
Audio: none | Video: YouTube | Stats
 
Let's Do This
Newman Women's Basketball tips off their season with a two-game stand in Arkansas.
 
Last Time Out
The Jets competed in their first MIAA Tournament game in program history against Northwest Missouri State on the first night of the tournament. The Jets had qualified for the tournament following a win over Central Oklahoma on the final day of the regular season. The Bearcats held Newman to a 38.5% shooting percentage and only allowed two three pointers during the contest. Senior Britany Ho was the only Jet to hit double figures in points with 26. A 70-54 loss was a disappointing end for an improved Newman squad, but they had a lot to be proud of in the progress they had made.
Recap | Box Score
 
A New Face in Town
Amy Briggs makes her head coaching debut against Southern Arkansas, after previously serving as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Truman State. Briggs helped lead Truman to an overall record of 46-26, and 36-10 conference record in the GLVC. The Bulldogs made the conference tournament all three seasons and reached the NCAA DII Midwest Regional in the 2020-21 season, defeating No. 6 Northwood University before falling to No. 2 Drury in the 2nd round. 
 
Scouting the Squadron
The Jets went 10-18 overall and 7-15 in conference play last season. It was the most wins the Navy and Red had in conference play since joining the MIAA and the most overall in a season since the 2018-19 campaign that saw the Jets win 21 games in the final year of the Heartland Conference. That year's team was also the last to make a conference tournament appearance until last season's squad broke the skid. The Jets return their top three-point shooter Carissa Beck for her final season. Beck shot nearly 45% from three last year, making 52 of them. The Jets will return five players from last season, while the rest of the squad is made up of mostly new players who will be making their collegiate debuts this season.
 
Behind Enemy Lines
The Muleriders are coming off a 12-17 campaign that saw them qualify for the GAC Conference tournament, sneaking in as the eight seed. Southern Arkansas won eight conference games in the Great American last season, which was their most since the 2019-20 season. SAU was picked to finish 9^th in the GAC preseason coaches' poll.
Arkansas-Monticello is coming off a 9-win season in 2022/23. The Cotton Blossoms had a tough end to their year, dropping their final seven games of the season to keep them out of the GAC tournament. They did however have a much-improved season from their 21/22 campaign, that saw them go 0-28. UAM was picked to finish in 12^th in the GAC preseason coaches' poll.
 
The Series
Southern Arkansas leads the all-time series at 1-0, with the previous meeting occurring in 2008, that saw SAU win a close one, 56-52. The matchup also took place in Magnolia, Arkansas.
This will be a first-time meeting between the Jets and UAM.
 
First Impressions
The Jets are 8-8 in season openers in the Division II era and are 2-2 since joining the MIAA. The Jets have lost two straight season openers, both at the hands of Wayne State.
 
Upcoming Attraction
Newman will head to their only other non-conference road matchup, taking on William Jewell in Fulton, Missouri on Tuesday, November 14^th.