Box Score

Austin, Texas – DAWN KIEL scored 22 points to lead the Hilltoppers to a 72-63 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday night at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The victory gave the Hilltoppers its second straight against the Javelinas this week.
 
St. Edward's (8-3) got on the scoreboard first with a lay-up by MONICA JAMES. Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-6) responded with three consecutive baskets to take the 6-2 lead five minutes into the contest.
 
The Javelinas continued to put the pressure on the Hilltoppers taking a 10-4 lead at the 12:57 mark of the first half. SARAH KENDRICK drained a short-jumper but TAMU-Kingsville responded with a three baskets from behind the arc to extend their lead to 13 points with 8:29 remaining in the half.
 
VALENCIA WHITE broke the scoring drought with a jumper from the top of the key. Kiel scored five straight points to cut the Javelina lead to single digits.  MADDIE WHEELER connected on a three-pointer at the 3:45 mark to decrease the Javelina lead, 24-21.
 
Back-to-back jumpers by Wheeler and Kiel erased the TAMU-Kingsville deficit and gave the Hilltoppers their first lead since the opening minute of play.
 
White extended the St. Edward's lead with another jumper from the top of the key. Wheeler and Kiel again knocked down shots to send the Hilltoppers into the half with a 32-27 lead.
 
The Javelinas came out hot with seven straight points to take a 34-32 lead. Wheeler responded with a three-pointer for the Hilltoppers for a 35-34 lead. STEPHANIE DEKKERS and Kiel would hit shots from beyond the arc to increase the St. Edward's lead 46-40, with 16:01 remaining.
 
TAMU-Kingsville scored five straight points to give the game its third tie, 50-50 at the halfway mark of the period.  Both teams would trade baskets until KELSEE BARR and ERIKA ROUSCULP made jumpers to give the Hilltoppers an eight-point lead.
 
Free throws by Rousculp and Kiel gave St. Edward's a 10-point lead with 3:50 remaining. CASEY RILEY followed with a trey that pushed the Hilltopper lead to 13 points.
 
The Javelinas responded with seven straight points, but free throws by Dekkers and a DAWN KIEL lay-up with five seconds remaining sealed the fifth-straight victory for the Hilltoppers.
 
Wheeler added 14 points, but left the game in the second half due to an injury. Dekkers and Rousculp chipped in eight points apiece. Rousculp led the Hilltoppers with seven rebounds.
 
The Hilltoppers return home on December 29 for a matchup against Abilene Christian. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm at the Recreational Convocation Center (RCC) on the St. Edward's campus. Live video and stats will be available through the Hilltopper website.