FORT SMITH, Ark.- Women's Basketball capped out their weekend of MIAA play against Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Lions took the matchup, 61-54.
How it Happened:
- The Jets and Lions played an even first quarter. Jaeden McMillin and Valeriya Lioukina got the Jets offense rolling to start the game to keep it even at four all at the right minute mark. Saige Grampsas connected with her first points of the game to take the Jets first lead of the game. Layla Pierce added a three pointer to push the Jets lead to 9-7. Another McMillin bucket extended the Jets lead to 11-7. The Lions continued to push back with points of their own. With 2:45 left in the quarter, the Lions brought the game within one point. Lioukina and Grampsas were able to answer the call to push the lead back to four. Fort Smith added a few more buckets to close the gap, but the Jets held the lead to end the first quarter at 18-15.
- To start the second quarter, the Lions cut the deficit to just one. McMillin pushed the Jets to hold their lead with another bucket. The Lions continued to battle back, bringing the game within one point again at the 20-19 mark. The Jets then put a run together with buckets by Pierce and Paige Craft to take the score to 25-19 with five minutes left in the half. The Lions were then able to tie the game at 25 all after a run of their own with just over a minute left in the half. Free throws allowed the Lions to take the lead heading into the break at 28-27.
- Out of the break, the Lions went on a 7-0 run to take their lead out to 35-27 with under eight to play in the third quarter. Three possessions of points by Lioukina and McMillin brought the Jets back within two points. Grampsas hit a three to bring the deficit to just one. Later, a jumper by Delainey Wylie retook the lead for Newman at 38-37. Free throws by Craft extended the lead to three, but Fort Smith wouldn't go away. Lioukina and Pierce both added jumpers to end the third quarter with a three point lead at 44-41.
- To start the fourth quarter, the Lions retook the lead. Baskets by Lioukina and Pierce kept the offense rolling. With four minutes left to play, Fort Smith took their lead to five at 55-50. Lioukina and Pierce both added more baskets to try to cut into the lead, but the Lions kept the Jets at a five point distance. This allowed the Lions to take the game, 61-54.
Player Notes:
-Lioukina led the Jets with 18 points and eight rebounds.
-McMillin added 11 points with eight boards.
-Pierce recorded ten points, going 4-8 from the field.
The Jets return home next Friday, December 13th to host Barclay before the Christmas break.
