Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – MADDIE WHEELER's 15 points led six Hilltoppers in double figures as the St. Edward's women's basketball team gave new Head Coach J.J. Riehl a victory in her first game at the helm. The Hilltoppers downed New Mexico Highlands, 82-69, Friday evening on day one of the St. Edward's Shootout at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
It was a defensive battle in the first few minutes of action until New Mexico Highlands (0-1) got two free throws by Kate Cryderman and a bucket from China Smith to put the Cowgirls up, 4-0, at the 16:11 mark.
 
A 6-2 run over the next two minutes by St. Edward's (1-0) would knot the score at 6-6. SARAH KENDRICK drained a jumper and layups by MADDIE WHEELER and Erica Rousculp gave the Hilltoppers the tie.
 
With the Cowgirls leading 15-13 with 9:20 remaining, the Hilltoppers turned up the defensive pressure.  The full-court press forced New Mexico Highlands into some quick turnovers and some easy points that lead St. Edward's to a 15-2 run over the next six minutes to take a 28-17 advantage with 3:53 on the clock.
 
The lead got up to 12 points but a late three-pointer by Brittany Neely cut the lead to 31-22 at the break.
 
In the second half, St. Edward's came out on a 6-2 run, capped off by a trey from MADDIE WHEELER to make it 37-24, with 17:30 remaining in the game.
 
Over the next five minutes, the Hilltoppers would go cold from the field as New Mexico Highlands went on a 15-2 run to tie the game up, 39-39, with 12:53 remaining. Eboni Jacobs tallied six points and Cryderman added four points during the spurt.
 
After two free throws by Alyssa Lopez gave New Mexico Highlands its first lead, 45-44, since early in the first half, the Hilltopper defense stepped up once again. STEPHANIE DEKKERS was the catalyst as she picked up two steals and five points. Rousculp added four points as the Hilltoppers went on a 17-1 run. Dekkers capped off the rally with a steal and a three-point play at the 8:18 mark.
 
The Cowgirls would cut the lead to 71-63, with 2:40 remaining, but a layup by KELSEE BARR and a trey from CASEY RILEY sealed the deal for the Hilltoppers.
 
Wheeler would make three shots from behind the arc and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe for her team-leading 15 points. Barr almost registered a triple-double, as she tallied 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. Riley would score 12 points off of the bench and tally four assists. Kiel, Dekkers and Rousculp would all contribute 10 points.
 
Jacobs led the Cowgirls with 17 points, while Smith added 16 points and Lopez chipped in with 16 points. Cyderman finished with a double-double, collecting 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday for day two of the SEU Shootout. They will take on Tiffin at 4:30 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Tiffin fell to Incarnate Word Friday afternoon, 67-52. Live Video and Stats for all tournament games will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.