Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – MILEKA LOYDRAKE led all scores with 25 points as St. Edward's returns to the win column with a 95-89 overtime victory against the defending Heartland Conference champions, UT-Permian Basin. With the win, the Hilltoppers improve to 11-4 overall (6-3 HC).
 
"I cant say enough about the fight and determination the kids showed tonight," said head coach J.J. Riehl. "We definitely suffered from some emotional fallout from Thursdays fame, but we were able to overcome it and change things up defensively during the last three minutes of regulation and overtime."
 
Riehl commented on the play of Loydrake, "Mel was huge for us today. Of course she scored, but she really set the tone towards the end of regulation and in overtime defensively. She really did a good job defensively."
 
The Falcons opened the game with a long-range three pointer, but the Hilltoppers responded and outscored UT-Permian Basin, 14-6 during the first six minutes of the game. ERIKA ROUSCULP, Loydrake, KATHLEEN BRISBANE, and MADDIE WHEELER all contributed during the run.
 
"Maddie (Wheeler) and Kat (Brisbane) played great today," said Riehl. "Maddie knocked down a huge three and Kat played great contributing another double-double."
 
CASEY RILEY broke the games second tie with two free throws at the 11:23 mark of the first half. The Falcons responded with a trey, but the Hilltoppers went on a 5-0 run and again found themselves ahead, 25-21 with 8:23 remaining.
 
STEPHANIE DEKKERS knocked down her second bucket from downtown to put St. Edward's ahead by two points, 28-26. The game proceeded to be a back-and-forth affair, until UT-Permian Basin outscored the Hilltoppers by five points in the final minute of the first half and went into the locker room leading, 41-36.
 
The Falcons pushed their lead to nine points to open the half, but the Hilltoppers came roaring back on a 7-0 run and cut the deficit to two points. Wheeler contributed on the offensive end, while Dekkers and Brisbane helped on the defensive end during the run providing a steal apiece.
 
UT-Permian Basin responded with a small run, but St. Edward's answered with a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead, 58-57 with 8:51 remaining. Much like the end of the first half, the teams were trading baskets for a three-minute span until the Falcons went ahead by five points.
 
The Hilltoppers scrapped and clawed their way back into the game with a 7-2 run to tie the contest. Loydrake provided the spark for the run with a three-point play. Brisbane and Wheeler helped finish the run with two points apiece.
 
Brisbane provided the go-ahead basket twice but UT-Permian Basin answered and took the lead, 76-75 with just over a minute remaining. Brisbane added another basket to retake the lead with under a minute left to play.
 
The Falcons scored a basket to go up 78-77. With 19 seconds remaining, UT-Permian Basin had two free throws, but only converted one increasing their lead to two, 79-77. Dekkers dribbled the length of the floor and got to the basket and tied the game with a lay-up with just nine seconds remaining. St. Edward's had one final chance for a half court heave after Wheeler drew a charge on the defensive end, but it fell short and the game was headed in to overtime.
 
"Steph (Dekkers) was just huge for us today. She hit big shots, made great passes and kept everyone together," stated Riehl.
 
St. Edward's started overtime strong and never looked back, taking a six-point lead during the first 2:30. Dekkers put the exclamation point on the game when she hit her fourth three-pointer from the top of the key to push the lead to seven, 89-82. Riley and Loydrake were perfect from the line with under a minute left and the Hilltoppers returned to the win column with a 95-89 victory.
 
Brisbane finished the game with her second double-double in three games with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Dekkers added 21 points, seven assists, and five steals, while Wheeler chipped in 17 points and three assists.
 
Riehl closed her statement, "Tonight was a total team effort. We didn't play our best but down the stretch we stuck together and got the job done. I'm happy for the girls, they worked hard and overcame adversity for this one."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to Claremore, Okla. to take on conference newcomer Rogers State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Claremore Expo Center. Live video and stats will be available through the Hillcat Athletic Website.