Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's women's basketball fell to Tiffin 81-74 on the second day of the St. Edward's Shootout. The loss puts the Hilltopper squad at 1-1 for the season.
 
DAWN KIEL started the game hot by connecting on two shots from behind the arc to give the Hilltoppers a quick 6-0 lead. Tiffin (1-1) responded with a basket and two free throws to cut into the lead. St. Edward's continued its hot start from three-point land when KELSEE BARR and STEPHANIE DEKKERS both swished their shots. Another bucket by Kiel gave the Hilltoppers a 16-6 lead just five minutes into the game.
 
The Hilltoppers opened up the night shooting 83% from 3-point land and it would continue. CASEY RILEY connected from downtown to extend the lead to 11. The Hilltoppers and Dragons exchanged blows for the next 10-minutes before Tiffin cut the lead to five points going into the half.
 
St. Edward's came out of the gate running to start the second half by scoring two layups courtesy of Kiel and SARAH KENDRICK. The Dragons would again get the lead down to five points, but the Hilltoppers responded with a jumper from Riley.
 
Tiffin would go on a 9-1 run in the next 90 seconds to take its first lead of the game. MONICA JAMES would tie the game at 52 after connecting on a free throw, but the Dragons found their shooting touch from outside.  Over the two minutes Karli Mast knocked down two shots from three-point land to give Tiffin an eight-point lead.
 
MADDIE WHEELER nailed a crucial three-point shot with six minutes remaining to cut the Dragon lead to three. Tiffin responded with a 7-0 run that would give them their biggest lead of the night with just over four and a half minutes remaining.
 
St. Edward's put on a defensive effort during the final stretch of the game to put pressure on the Dragons. Riley connected on two jumpers in the final minute to cut the lead to six points. After the made basked, the Hilltoppers applied full-court pressure, which allowed Wheeler to intercept a pass at the low block and score a basket and have a chance at a three-point play. She made the free throw to cut the Dragon lead to three points with 42 seconds remaining.
 
A quick foul by Dekkers allowed Jessica Harris of Tiffin to the free throw line for two attempts to extend the lead back to five points. Kiel missed a 3-point attempt but Dekkers was right there for the put back. Riley then fouled Stephanie Kelly, which eventually sealed the victory for the Dragons.
 
Head Coach J.J. Riehl commented after the game, “I am proud of how the team fought to the end tonight. Our theme thus far has been to finish, and I felt the team did so with the effort they put forth. I am disappointed at the outcome, but not with the effort. We will continue to work and prepare for Angelo State this week.”
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to San Angelo to take on Angelo State. Tip-off is set for 6:00 pm. Live stats will be available through the Angelo State website.