Box Score ABILENE, Texas – STEPHANIE DEKKERS scored 19 points and ERIKA ROUSCULP recorded a double-double to help St. Edward's improve to 10-1 overall and 5-0 in Heartland Conference play with a 55-51 win over McMurry Saturday afternoon at Kimbrell Arena.
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl commented after the game, "We were fortunate to get the win today. McMurry played a great game and we were a step slow and struggled offensively, but down the stretch the girls did what we needed to do to pull out the victory."
 
Both teams started the game exchanging baskets and the contest was tied at seven after the first media timeout. Dekkers and Rousculp scored five of the first seven points.


"Erika was big for us in the paint," said Riehl after the game. "Her work on the boards was really good. She controlled the glass for us and that was huge."
 
The Warhawks scored four quick points, but the Hilltoppers went on a 7-0 run and led 14-11 with 11 minutes remaining. Dekkers started the run with a bucket from downtown. CASEY RILEY scored two of her 11 points with a layup and Rousculp drained a jumper to complete the run.
 
Riehl commented on Riley, "Casey really paced us and got us going in the first half. Her energy defensively was really good."


Over a span of five minutes, the St. Edward's defense held McMurry to four points during an 11-4 run and had its biggest lead of the game with just under four minutes remaining in the half.  It was the Warhawks' turn to play defense and closed the half on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 26 going into the break.
 
The second half started much like the first with both teams trading baskets. After the game's sixth tie, the Hilltoppers went on a 7-0 run started by Dekkers. She also hit another three-point bucket during the run.
 
"Stephanie, well, she was huge," Riehl said after the game. "She stepped up and was huge offensively, made some really big shots for us and kept us together on the floor."
 
The Warhawks countered by scoring four-straight points, cutting the lead to 40-37. MADDIE WHEELER nailed a 15-foot jumper and pushed the lead to 42-37 with eight minutes remaining.
 
McMurry closed the gap to one point with a 10-5 run with just 1:44 remaining. Rousculp grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback. She made one of the two free throws. Rousculp then came up big on the defensive end and had a steal and passed the ball to MILEKA LOYDRAKE who was fouled on the shot. She made both and St. Edward's led 52-48 with 40 seconds remaining.
 
Dekkers added three foul shots and gave the Hilltoppers a seven-point lead. The Warhawks made a desperation three-point basket as time expired, but St. Edwards came out on top 55-51.
 
Riehl closed her statement, "Overall, I'm pleased that we gutted out a win. It shows a lot about where we are as a team, our belief in ourselves, and each other. We need to get back at it and work on a few things in preparing for St. Mary's on Thursday. We will be ready."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to take on St. Mary's for another installment of the Battle of the Saints. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary's. Live video and stats will be available through the Rattler Athletic Website.