Box Score FORT SMITH, Ark. – MADDIE WHEELER and DAWN KIEL combined for 46 points to lead St. Edward's to an 85-68 drumming of UA Fort Smith, Thursday night at the Stubblefield Center. The game marked the start of Heartland Conference play.
 
St. Edward's (4-3, 1-0 HC) started the game fast, jumping out to a 9-0 lead at the 16:44 mark of the first half. During the run, the Hilltoppers got buckets by Kiel, Wheeler, MONICA JAMES, and STEPHANIE DEKKERS. Destyni Howard broke the run by St. Edward's with a three-point bucket.
 
UA Fort Smith (2-3, 0-1 HC) cut the lead to five points with 12:28 remaining before Kiel and Wheeler combined for the next nine Hilltopper points to extend the lead to 25-11 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half. The run by St. Edward's would continue courtesy of two CASEY RILEY free throws and three pointers from Wheeler and Dekkers. The Hilltoppers would score 17-straight points in just over three minutes of play to bust out to a 33-11 advantage.
 
The offensive firepower by St. Edward's continued to close the first half. Four different Hilltoppers would contribute points on the offensive side of the ball during the final six minutes of the period. Kiel ended the half with a three-point basket from 35-feet out as the shot clock expired and just one second remaining. St. Edward's would go into the locker room with a 52-31 lead. Wheeler and Kiel combined for 35 of the 52 Hilltopper points.
 
James would score two quick points to begin the second half of action. She picked up three quick fouls in the following minute that never allowed her to be effective in the second half. The Hilltoppers and Lions would trade baskets until the 14:41 mark, when St. Edward's started an 8-0 run. The run would give the Hilltoppers their biggest lead of the game, 71-41 with 10 minutes remaining. They would coast from there, taking the 17-point victory.
 
The Hilltoppers would outrebound the Lions, 47-35. ERIKA ROUSCULP was the games leading rebounder with 11. Wheeler and Kiel combined for 11 boards throughout the game. St. Edward's would finish the game shooting 50 percent from downtown and 44 percent from the field.
 
Wheeler commented on the win, “We changed our attitudes after the Sunday loss and took advantage of our team chemistry.  The posts did a great job of dominating the boards throughout the game that gave us the ability to control the pace of play. Tonight's win was a total team effort and was a great way to open conference play.”
 
Kiel emulated on her teammates comments by stating, “Our ability to control the boards helped us to victory. After reviewing the scouting report, we knew we had to make a conscious effort to attack the boards as a team. The entire team showed up to play, and we proved that we are hard to beat as a team. Tonight's road win was key to start conference off in the win column.”
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Saturday when they take on Newman for their second conference game. Tip off is set for 2:00 P.M. Live video and stats will be available on the Jet website.