AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's Women's Basketball Team dropped its third Heartland Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center, falling to Lubbock Christian, 73-60.
 
Lubbock Christian (14-5, 8-1 HC) got off to an auspicious start, garnering a 15-2 lead, seven minutes into the contest.
 
A layup from LEXI FATHEREE would ignite the Hilltopper faithful, and begin a St. Edward's (12-5, 6-3 HC) comeback early in the period.  The Hilltoppers would go on a 19-6 run over the next five minutes that would draw the score even, 21-21.
 
The remainder of the first half was a seesaw affair, as both teams traded buckets for the remainder. However, it was Lubbock Christian who took a 36-34 halftime lead.
 
As the second half began, it was the Hilltoppers who got on the board first, tying the contest for the fourth time. Lubbock Christian would quickly answer, scoring a layup of its own. However, two minutes later the Hilltoppers would take a one-point lead with 17:30 left to play. 
 
Unfortunately, it would be the last lead that the Hilltoppers would hold, as the Lady Chaps would climb their way to a double-digit lead. Twice during the second half, Lubbock Christian built an 18-point lead; however, St. Edward's gave everything they had on the afternoon fighting back. The Lady Chaps would go on to win 73-60.
 
"After a poor offensive start, we were finally able to get it going and did a really good job of getting back in the game. Defensively, we just did not have enough to get the necessary stops," head Coach J.J. Riehl said.
 
"They are a very tough team to defend; consequently, we gave up too many easy transition baskets. However, we did a lot of really good things today and will learn from this game while preparing for Thursday against Rogers State," Riehl claimed.
 
St. Edward's will look to bounce back on the road Thursday against Rogers State. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Live coverage will be available through the Rogers State Athletic Website.
 
                                             Heartland           Overall
Team (Preseason)                 W-L                   W-L
Lubbock Christian* (1)           8-1                    14-5
UA Fort Smith (7)                    7-2                     9-7
St. Mary's (2)                            6-3                    12-5
St. Edward's (4)                       6-3                    12-5
UT-Permian Basin (8)             5-4                    11-6
TAMU-International (3)          4-5                     8-9
Newman (5)                             3-6                    6-11
Oklahoma Christian* (6)         3-6                    6-11
Rogers State* (9)                     3-6                    5-12
Panhandle State (10)              0-9                    2-17
* - Not eligible for HC Tournament due to NCAA Transition Year.
 
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
January 24
UTPB 75, OPSU 65
NU 53, RSU 52
LCU 73, SEU 60
UAFS 70, OC 43
 
January 29
OPSU at LCU                                5:30 PM
SEU at RSU                                   5:30 PM
TAMIU at NU                               5:30 PM
UTPB at UAFS                              5:30 PM
STMU at OC                                 5:30 PM
 
January 31
UTPB at RSU                                1:00 PM
TAMIU at OC                                1:00 PM
SEU at UAFS                                 1:00 PM
STMU at NU                                 1:00 PM