Box Score
SAN ANTONIO — In a heartbreaking double overtime upset, St. Mary's Women's Basketball was stripped of its perfect home record after falling to Newman Thursday night, 76-72.
The 50-minute showdown was filled with its excitements and thrills but ended in favor of the Jets as the Rattlers recorded their third straight loss.
St. Mary's broke out in what seemed would be a smooth road to victory as it jumped to a 13-0 lead just five minutes into the game. But by the half the Jets (11-9, 8-6 in conference) fueled back to bring it within one, 26-25.
With three minutes remaining in the game and the score tied 50-50, both squads hit a stalemate as neither were able to score for the remainder of regulation, sending the Rattlers to their second overtime of the season.
The first overtime saw tight defense and minimal scoring as the Rattlers and Jets each scored just eight points, taking the extended game for another round of play.
St. Mary's and Newman began to show signs of wear in double overtime but the fire wasn't out for the Rattlers, who charged back from a nine-point deficit with 1:15 remaining to bring it within two just 30 seconds later after a
Jackie Woods three-pointer and two clutch free throws apiece from Woods and
Morgan Pullins.
But the Jets were able hold off the Rattlers, outscoring them 18-14 to claim the hard-fought victory.
The upset saw a tremendous performance from
Lia Kioa (Sr., Phoenix), who played all but one minute of the game. Kioa recorded a team-high 20 points for night, tying her career high, while also recording four assists, two steals and one block.
Pullins (Jr., Franklin, Mich.) notched another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Woods (Sr., San Antonio) and
Bria Bell (Sr., Mesquite, Texas) chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite outrebounding NU 43-29 and scoring 28 points off turnovers, the Rattlers were stung by nine Jet 3's, four of which came from Cheniqwa Banks, and the Heartland Conference's leading scorer, Jet Alexandra Ciabattoni, who led the night with 23 points.
The Rattlers remain the No. 2 team in league with the loss, now posting a 13-5 overall record and 8-4 conference record.
St. Mary's will remain at home to take on its next contender, playing Oklahoma Panhandle State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bill Greehey Arena.
