Box Score
Post-game Video

AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's women's basketball dropped its second-straight game on Saturday afternoon as it fell to McMurry, 57-54. The Hilltoppers shot just 32 percent from the field, but they also held the War Hawks to 36 percent shooting and had a late opportunity to win the game.
 
St. Edward's (8-5) opened the game on a 12-4 run in the first six minutes of action. STEPHANIE DEKKERS led the charge with five points, which included a make from downtown. CASEY RILEY capped off the run with a trey of her own at the 14:33 mark.


McMurry (5-8) would get a three-pointer from Claire Bruffey and a jumper by Jamie Wilson to cut the Hilltopper lead to three, 12-9, at the 13:35 mark.
 
A 7-2 run by the home team during the next minute pushed the lead back to eight points at 19-11. Dekkers hit another trey and VALENCIA WHITE had a jumper to give the Hilltoppers a comfortable lead.
 
That lead did not last for long as the War Hawks battled back, using a 12-4 run over the next nine minutes. Keisha Collins, the leading scorer on the season for the team, had two buckets for McMurry to lead the comeback.
 
Back-to-back jumpers by White and HALEY MEEKINS gave St. Edward's a four-point lead with 1:39 left in the half. The Hilltoppers would take a 28-25 lead into the break.
 
In the second half, it was McMurry who would come out firing, going on a 9-5 run in the half's first four minutes. Collins led the way with three points to give them a 33-30 advantage with 17:17 remaining in the game.
 
The game would go back in forth for the next eight minutes with neither team gaining more than a two-point advantage.
 
Two free throws by Riley and a layup by SARAH KENDRICK gave the Hilltoppers a 46-42 lead with 8:26 left in the contest. St. Edward's would miss its next four shots and turn the ball over four times as the War Hawks went on a 6-0 run over the next four minutes to take a four-point lead. Jamie Wilson scored the final four points of the run.
 
Dekkers would split a pair of free throws to cut the lead to one, with 3:13 left. Collins responded with a jumper in the paint. ERIKA ROUSCULP would then rebound a miss by Riley and put it back to bring the game within ne again with 2:36 remaining. However, Collins would hit another bucket to keep McMurry ahead by three.
 
Down at the other end, KELSEE BARR would turn the ball over. The junior would redeem herself during McMurry's ensuing possession as she picked Collins' pocket to get the ball back for the Hilltoppers.
 
After Riley missed a layup, she got her own rebound and nailed a three pointer to knot the score, 52-52, with 1:31 left. Collins would draw a foul but only make one-of-two free throws but St. Edward's would turn the ball over again. Collins hit another jumper in the lane to push the War Hawk lead back up to three points.
 
St. Edward's would cut the lead back down to one point with two free throws by Kendrick with 24 seconds left. The Hilltoppers were forced to foul and Tory Salazar missed on both opportunities. Barr was there for the rebound, her team-leading 13^th board, and was fouled by Wilson for a one-and-one opportunity. Barr missed her freebie and fouled Rikeita Thomas. Thomas hit both free throws and the Hilltoppers missed a potential game-tying three pointer in the waning seconds.
 
Dekkers led the Hilltoppers with 13 points and five assists. Riley and White both chipped in with 10 points. Barr ended the day with three points, three assists and three steals to go with her career-high 13 rebounds.
 
Collins led all scorers with 18 points to go along with her 10 rebounds. Thomas added 13 points and Wilson tallied eight points and 11 rebounds.
 
St. Edward's will have a week off before they return to action Saturday when they host Heartland Conference newcomer Oklahoma Christian in a non-conference contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live Video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.