Box Score ORT SMITH, Ark. – KATHLEEN BRISBANE led all scorers with 16 points and nine rebounds as St. Edward's returned to the win column with a tough win against Arkansas Fort Smith, 70-66 Saturday afternoon at the Stubblefield Center. The Hilltoppers improve to 12-5 overall (7-4 HC) and currently sit in third place amongst full Heartland Conference members.
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl commented after the game, "Our ability to knock down shots early against the zone was key because it forced them to go man-to-man, and that was the difference. In the second half we did a great job executing in the half court offensively."
 
MADDIE WHEELER and STEPHANIE DEKKERS got the offense going to start the game helping St. Edward's jump out to an early 8-4 lead. MILEKA LOYDRAKE followed with a three-point basket, pushing the lead to 15-10 in favor of the Hilltoppers with 13 minutes remaining in the first half.
 
St. Edward's went through an offensive drought over several minutes, but its defense stiffened and only allowed one free throw during the three-minute span. Wheeler and HALEY MEEKINS broke the shooting lull and gave St. Edward's its biggest lead of the first half, 19-11, with 10:49 remaining.
 
The Lions responded by scoring 12-consecutive points and took a three-point lead with just under 7:30 to play. St. Edward's regained the lead when VALENCIA WHITE scored two free throws and Loydrake knocked down a mid-range jumper.
 
Brisbane scored six of her 16 points in a two-minute span, helping the Hilltoppers gain a 32-27 advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the half. St. Edward's gave up a late layup and went into the break leading 33-30.
 
The Lions opened the second half strong, outscoring the Hilltoppers 10-4 during the first four minutes. Wheeler drained a bucket from downtown helping St. Edward's regain the lead, 41-40. Wheeler swished a jumper and Brisbane scored her second basket of the half and the Hilltoppers quickly had a 47-42 advantage. 
 
A slew of foul shots by ERIKA ROUSCULP and Loydrake gave the Hilltoppers a 52-43 lead with 12 minutes to play. Both teams went into a shooting lull much like the first half, but St. Edward's maintained their nine-point lead with five minutes to play.
 
Brisbane made a layup and gave the Hilltoppers a double-digit lead with just 1:42 to play. The Lions put forth one last effort scoring seven unanswered points trimming the St. Edward's lead, 64-61. Arkansas-Fort Smith made a three-pointer with 12 seconds left cutting the lead to two points, but STEPHANIE DEKKERS iced the game and secured the victory with two foul shots and the Hilltoppers came out on top, 70-66.
 
"Winning the rebounding stat line was huge as well," said Riehl. "Erika, Kat, and Mel were all big for us on the boards."
 
Loydrake added 15 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Wheeler and Dekkers were the other two Hilltoppers in double figures. Wheeler had 12 points and three steals while Dekkers chipped in 10 points and led the game with eight assists.
 
Riehl commented on the teams balance, "We shared the ball really well today with four players in double figures again. That points to our balance, unselfishness and willingness to find the open man."
 
Riehl closed her statement, "Every game this year that we have needed to rebound from a poor performance the previous night, we have. This teams ability to regroup, stay in the moment and get the job done is impressive."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Saturday as they return home to host Oklahoma Christian. 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.