Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – DAWN KIEL paced the Hilltoppers with 16 points but it wasn't enough to overcome the Falcons of UT-Permian Basin as St. Edward's fell, 64-47, on Thursday at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
St. Edward's (10-7, 3-2 HC) found itself in a hole early, as UT-Permian Basin (11-5, 5-1 HC) jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. The Hilltoppers got on the board via a lay-up by Kiel. Teisha King quickly responded with a three-point basket to push the lead to eight before Kiel would answer with a trey as well.
 
Kiel would knock down back-to-back three pointers to cut the Falcon lead to one point at the 14:17 mark. KENDRA FIELD and STEPHANIE DEKKERS both knocked down shots for the games first tie, 16-16 with 10:43 remaining in the first period.
 
Field made a jumper for the first Hilltopper lead 22-20 with 8:49 remaining. King responded with a jumper of her own for the games fourth tie. Both teams exchanged punches until the 2:53 mark of the period. At that point King and Briannah Matthews both connected on layups to give the Falcons the 29-25 advantage going into the break.
 
King picked up in the second half where she left off in the first with a jumper just one minute into the second period. Kiel quickly responded with a drive to the right side. UT-Permian Basin held onto the four-point advantage, 31-27, with 18:40 left.
 
The Falcons converted on a three-point play to extend their lead to six points, but SARAH KENDRICK was able to make her inside presence known by adding a layup to cut into the deficit.
 
Neither team was able to generate much offense through a four-minute stretch but ERIKA ROUSCULP was able to break the scoring drought at the 11:47 mark of the second half. The basket cut the Falcon lead 37-33.
 
UT-Permian Basin went on a 9-4 run over the course of two minutes that extended its lead to double digits. The Falcons led 46-35 at the halfway point of the period.
 
The Hilltoppers vigorously worked to cut into the lead, but the closest they would get would be with 3:31 remaining, down 53-45. UT-Permian Basin would knock down its free throws and eventually take the victory, 64-47.
 
Kiel finished the night with 16 points in 29 minutes of work. Rousculp added 12 points, three steals, and two rebounds. She went 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. VALENCIA WHITE grabbed nine rebounds, and had two blocks and assists.
 
With the loss, St. Edward's now sits alone in third place in the Heartland Conference standings one game behind UT-Permian Basin and two behind St. Mary's.
 
The Hilltoppers return home on Saturday as they take on Panhandle State at 2:00 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The game will conclude the first round of Heartland Conference action. Live video and stats will be available through the Hilltopper website.