Box Score
AUSTIN, Texas – MADDIE WHEELER scored a season-high 24 points as she led the Hilltoppers to a 68-52 win over crosstown rival Huston-Tillotson on Saturday afternoon.
St. Edward's (2-2) started the game with two quick lay-ups by
SARAH KENDRICK to take a 4-2 lead two minutes into the contest. Huston-Tillotson (1-2) responded with a small 8-4 run to take the lead, 10-8, five minutes into the first half. The Hilltoppers would tie the game courtesy of another basket by Kendrick.
Numerous lay-ups by Shaniqua Thomas and Erica Cray allowed the Rams to remain in the game. Thomas and Cray scored all of the Ram points during the first half. Thomas had 13 points, while Cray finished the half with seven points.
ERIKA ROUSCULP sparked an 11-0 run by the Hilltoppers towards the end of the half. During the run, St. Edward's received baskets by Wheeler,
CASEY RILEY, and
MONICA JAMES to extend the lead 31-18. The good shooting continued, as Wheeler connected on one of her three shots from behind the arc to extend the lead to 16 points. The Hilltoppers would go into the half leading 36-20.
Wheeler continued where she left off by starting the second half with a lay-up from teammate
CASEY RILEY. James made her presents felt inside the paint by scoring two easy baskets that gave the Hilltoppers a 42-24 lead.
Following the baskets by James, both teams went cold from the field. The Rams broke the scoring drought with baskets from Danielle Franklin and Cray.
HALEY MEEKINS got into the scoring column with a jumper from 15-feet, giving the Hilltoppers a 49-32 lead midway through the second half. The Rams went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 11 points with three-minutes remaining in the game. Wheeler ended the run and any hopes of a Rams comeback by draining a jumper from just inside the three-point arc.
Other Hilltoppers that scored in double-figures were
MONICA JAMES with 14 points and
SARAH KENDRICK with 13 points. James brought down seven boards with five coming on the offensive side of the ball. Kendrick hauled in seven rebounds.
STEPHANIE DEKKERS led the team with six assists.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Tuesday as they take on the Tornadoes of Concordia. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. on the campus of St. Edward's. Live video and stats will be available through the Hilltopper website.
