Box Score Video Recap

AMARILLO, Texas – Five Hilltoppers scored in double figures during first round action of the NCAA Tournament, but it wasn't enough to overcome top-seeded West Texas A&M. St. Edward's fell to the Buffalos 90-72 at the First United Bank Center on Friday evening.
 
Head coach J.J. Riehl commented after the game, "Well this isn't the ending any of us wanted, but we didn't have enough weapons tonight to slow down West Texas A&M. They are a good team, they've got a lot of weapons and defensively we just couldn't figure out a solution that have us stops when we needed them. The score isn't indicative of the game, it's an 11 point game with 3:00 remaining and if we knock down an open 3-point look, it's an eight point game."
 
St. Edward's (19-9) jumped out on the Buffalos early, taking a 10-4 lead through the first four minutes of action. KATHLEEN BRISBANE, ERIKA ROUSCULP, and MILEKA LOYDRAKE all scored for St. Edward's during the run.
 
West Texas A&M (28-2) responded with an 8-2 run and tied the game at 12 at the 12:12 mark of the first half. The Buffalos extended their lead to 10 points with 9:32 remaining courtesy a 12-2 run.
 
The post play for the Hilltoppers helped them chip away at the lead. Brisbane and Rousculp contributed six points and trimmed the Buffalo lead to four points with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.
 
West Texas A&M took advantage of empty positions by St. Edward's and saw its lead grow to as high as 14 points in the first half. STEPHANIE DEKKERS knocked down a bucket from downtown with 24 seconds left in half. The Hilltoppers went into the half trailing, 41-30.
 
CASEY RILEY and ERIKA ROUSCULP scored consecutive baskets and cut the lead to single digits to start the second half. The Buffalos had the hot hand and continued to grow their lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the second half.
 
St. Edward's saw their biggest deficit of the game at the 7:26 mark of the second half. They were down 74-51, but the never give up attitude helped them spur one last run. Over the course of the next five minutes, the Hilltoppers cut the lead to 11 points, 81-70. The Buffalos stopped the run and the Hilltoppers dropped the contest, 90-72.
 
"Our fight and resiliency was admirable," said Riehl. "We don't know quit and that was obvious tonight. That is what has defined this team all year. They just never stop fighting. Those people that thought St. Edward's would come in as an eighth seed and play scared or not ready for this stage were flat out wrong. We were anything but those things."
 
MILEKA LOYDRAKE led the Hilltoppers with 16 points while ERIKA ROUSCULP scored 15 points. STEPHANIE DEKKERS added 12 points and eight assists. CASEY RILEY and KATHLEEN BRISBANE each scored 10 points. Brisbane led the team with eight rebounds.
 
J.J. Riehl closed her statement, "This has been a year to remember. I'm so proud of these young women and what they've accomplished on and off the court this year. They are a special group that led me as much as they followed me. Our goal all year was to win a conference championship and play in the NCAA tournament, that's what we wanted to do, that was our destination, but the journey there was the best part... The laughter, the preseason workouts, the locker room, team meals, study hall, the bus rides... The day in and day out with this group of kids has been a true blessing."
 
"The future of St. Ed's basketball is bright because of this team. They have laid a foundation for the new era of Hilltopper Basketball and every group after this one will have it a little bit easier because of what this team has done. The 2013-14 team will always have a special place in my heart and will forever be apart of the Hilltopper Basketball family."
 
One team... One family... One love!
 
The Hilltoppers have completed the 2013-14 season with their best showing in 15 seasons. St. Edward's stamped their mark in the record books with their first Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Hilltoppers finished the season with a 19-9 overall record.