Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – MILEKA LOYDRAKE recorded her first double-double as a Hilltopper during Thursday night's showdown with Lubbock Christian at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers dropped the contest, 81-75 in overtime and fell to 10-4 (5-3 HC) for the season.
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl spoke after the game, "What a game right? It was a fun game to watch with a lot of back and fourth, up and down basketball, as well as great execution in the half court. It was just a great game."
 
Riehl continued, "Lubbock Christian is a great team, but I cannot say enough positive things about my teams effort and performance tonight. I thought we really competed, battled through adversity, and never gave up. I thought we did a great job winning the hustle plays as well as an unbelievable job of taking charges and controlling the board. We did everything we needed to do to have a chance to win."
 
St. Edward's came out of the gate with high energy, jumping out to an early 8-3 during the first five minutes of play. The Hilltoppers distributed the rock during the run with Loydrake, KATHLEEN BRISBANE, and MADDIE WHEELER getting into the points column.
 
Lubbock Christian slowly battled back and knotted the game at 12 with 11:30 remaining in the first half. It was clear these teams were two of the Heartland's best with the game deadlocked at 19. This was already the games seventh tie in just 13 minutes of action.
 
The Chaps went on a 6-0 run with three quick baskets. The Hilltoppers cut the lead to two points on several occasions large in part to the scoring of Brisbane and Loydrake. St. Edward's found themselves in a scoring drought and the Chaps took advantage and went into the break leading by nine points, 34-25.
 
Lubbock Christian extended its lead to 11 points, 36-25 early in the second half. The Hilltoppers and the Chaps traded buckets until St. Edward's began chipping away at the lead. Wheeler cut the lead to six points after she made a lay-up and three-point bucket.
 
Loydrake trimmed the Lubbock Christian lead to two, 44-42 by scoring four straight points in a 40 second interval. From the 17-minute mark to the 13-minute mark, the Hilltoppers outscored the Chaps 13-4.
 
Freshman guard PERI EWIN gave the game its eighth tie, 47-47 as she knocked down her second bucket from downtown with 10 minutes remaining. Lubbock Christian responded with five-straight points. The Hilltoppers responded numerous times, trimming the lead to just two points on multiple instances.
 
Again, St. Edward's was down by five points, 62-57 with less than two minutes to play. HALEY MEEKINS cut the lead to two on her three-point play. After the Chaps made two foul shots, STEPHANIE DEKKERS made a tough 15-foot jumper cut the lead, 64-62. Dekkers came right back down the floor and drained a long-range three pointer with 27 seconds to play. The Hilltoppers were down 66-65.
 
St. Edward's had a chance to send the game to overtime as they were down 68-65 with three seconds left. Wheeler attempted the shot to tie, but stepped on the sideline resulting in a turnover with just four seconds left. Lubbock Christian returned the favor by stepping on the same sideline immediately after throwing the ball in.
 
The Hilltoppers took advantage and Wheeler was fouled on a three-point attempt and was sent to the line to shoot three foul shots. She made all the three and the game was tied at 68 with two seconds remaining. The Chaps tried a Hail Mary pass, but instead turned it over on a backcourt violation. HALEY MEEKINS got a good look for the winning shot, but it rimmed in and out, and the game was headed into overtime.
 
Much like the first 40 minutes, the game was tight with three ties during the overtime period. The Hilltoppers took their only lead of overtime when Wheeler made a jumper. St. Edward's had its opportunities to chip into the lead, but missed shots and forced them to foul and the Chaps would stay undefeated in Heartland Conference play with the six-point overtime victory.
 
Riehl closed her statement, "It's been a tough three game stretch for us, but I really like the way the girls have responded with each setback. They have really invested in what we are trying to do in building a winning team and culture. We are simply focusing on the next step in our growth and Saturday against a good UT-Permian Basin squad."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Saturday to take on defending conference champion UT-Permian Basin. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center on the St. Edward's campus. Live video and stats will be available through the Hilltopper athletic website.