Box Score AUSTIN, Texas –ERIKA ROUSCULP and Kat Brisbane scored 18 and 13 points respectively to lead St. Edward's to a 67-52 victory over McMurry on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers improve to 15-6 overall (10-5 Heartland Conference) and are in sole possession of second place.
 
"I'm obviously pleased with the win today," said head coach J.J. Riehl. "It was a good team win for us. Everyone really stepped up today and played minutes for us. I'm happy with the mental focus and discipline we showed today."
 
MILEKA LOYDRAKE scored the first basket for the Hilltoppers just nine seconds into the game, but buckets were hard to come by through the next 10 minutes of play. At the halfway mark of the first half, the Hilltoppers had a slim 8-7 lead.
 
MADDIE WHEELER got the offense rolling at the 8:14 mark when she drained a basket from downtown. Wheeler added two more threes to push the lead to 21-11 with 5:29 to play. The Hilltopper lead reached its highest point in the first half when Wheeler and Jamie Kadlecek added six consecutive points to push the lead to 29-13 with 2:48 remaining.
 
The Warhawks narrowed the margin with five quick points, but the Hilltoppers responded with a 6-2 run to close the first half of play and take a 16-point cushion into the locker room, 36-20.
 
McMurry came out the break and outscored St. Edward's 6-2 through the first six minutes of the second half. Much like the first half, both offenses had trouble finding any offensive rhythm early on. It wasn't until the 12:25 mark where things got going for the Hilltoppers. Rousculp and VALENCIA WHITE both made close range jumpers extending the lead to 14 points.
 
Rousculp had the hot hand in the second half scoring another five points in about a minute of action. She gave the Hilltoppers a comfortable 50-34 lead with 9:37 remaining. HALEY MEEKINS and MILEKA LOYDRAKE also got in on the scoring action with each connecting on a jumper.
 
Riehl commented on the play of post players, "Erika (Rousculp) had a solid game today. She scored well and was good on boards."
 
Riehl continued, "Kat (Brisbane) was really good on the offensive boards and Haley (Meekins) and Valencia (White) off the bench played solid minutes and provide so much depth at the post position. The post players did a good job of working our high/low action, finding each other and then attacking off the bounce."
 
STEPHANIE DEKKERS pushed the lead to 17 points with four minutes to play with a fast break layup that was assisted by CASEY RILEY.  Rousculp put the exclamation point on the game scoring four points in the final minute, helping the Hilltoppers secure the 67-52 victory over McMurry.
 
Along with scoring in double digits, Rousculp and Brisbane both hauled in eight rebounds apiece. Seven of Rousculp's rebounds were offensive, while six of Brisbane's boards were also on the offensive glass. MADDIE WHEELER chipped in 15 points, 13 of which came in the first half. Loydrake continues to play well on the defensive end snatching four steals.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Thursday to take on Texas A&M–International. Tip-off is set for 5:30 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.