Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – MADDIE WHEELER scored a game-high 28 points as St. Edward's topped Newman, 76-66, Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers improve to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in Heartland Conference play.
 
Wheeler helped St. Edward's jump out to an early 8-3 lead. She scored all eight points during the run that lasted just over three minutes. Newman (5-7, 3-4 HC) responded with a small run of its own, cutting the lead to 9-8 with about 14 minutes remaining in the half.
 
St. Edward's responded with a 7-0 run, pushing the lead to 18-10 at the halfway point of the first half. KATHLEEN BRISBANE, HALEY MEEKINS, and Wheeler all contributed during the quick run. Once again, Newman had an answer for the run and knotted the game at 19 with 8:28 left.
 
Wheeler again came up big and had a fast-break layup and a three-point play to put the Hilltoppers ahead by three 22-19. Wheeler added another basket from beyond the arc to push the lead to four, 29-25. The Jets narrowed the lead to one, but Brisbane knocked down some late foul shots for the 33-30 lead. Newman made a foul shot late and went into the half trailing the Hilltoppers, 33-31.
 
Newman took its first lead of the contest when Alexandra Ciabattoni drained a mid-range jumper with 15:26 left in the contest. ERIKA ROUSCULP found the bucket for the first time and sparked her teammates as they quickly pushed the lead to five, 44-39.
 
STEPHANIE DEKKERS also picked an opportune time to make a crucial shot and she did with back-to-back buckets from beyond the arc. Rousculp added two more baskets and the Hilltoppers were ahead 56-45 with less than 10 minutes to play.
 
Dekkers received a pass from Wheeler and drained a baseline three-pointer. MILEKA LOYDRAKE weaved through the Jet defense and sank a 12-foot jumper extending the lead to 14 points with six minutes remaining.
 
Newman went on a run to cut the lead to single digits, but like the first half, St. Edward's responded with baskets by Loydrake and Wheeler. The 6-0 run gave the Hilltoppers their biggest lead of the game at 73-58. Wheeler put the exclamation point on the contest with two late free throws and the Hilltoppers would go onto win, 76-66.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Saturday, January 4th as they travel to Abilene to take on Heartland Conference rival McMurry. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Kimbrell Arena on the campus of McMurry. Live video and stats will be available through the War Hawk Athletic Website.