AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's University Women's Basketball hosted the fifth-ranked West Texas A&M Lady Buffs on Wednesday in the Recreation and Convocation Center, and lost 66-52. The Hilltoppers fall to 1-1 on the year while WTAMU improves to 3-0.
 
SHAKERA BARNES and BAILEY HILL led the team in scoring with 12 points each as Hill went 3-for-9 from behind the arc and Barnes shot 50 percent from the field with four assists. KHIANI CLARK pulled down a team-high six rebounds and MILEKA LOYDRAKE poked away six steals. A pair of blocks from HALEY JOLY capped off a heavy night on defense for the Hilltoppers.
 
"I thought we had a good defensive game plan. We did a really good job of making them earn their baskets for three quarters of the game," said head coach J.J. Riehl. "They got really aggressive in the fourth quarter and we didn't do a good job of limiting our fouls. The free throw count was entirely too one-sided and loose balls were huge. We didn't get to the 50-50 balls in the last 15 minutes and that proved to be extremely demoralizing. In order to win big games we have to knock down shots and we didn't do that tonight. All-in-all I like our game and the opportunities we have this year to be a contender. We have to continue getting better each day and embrace the opportunity to grow as a team."
 
St. Edward's opened the scoring early with a three pointer from BAILEY HILL, and a quick jumper from SHAKERA BARNES in the lane put the Toppers up by five on the number five team. A quick run from the Lady Buffs would give them a one-point lead that would extend to six by the end of the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter WTAMU would hold onto their lead, pushing it all the way to an eight-point margin. However, the Hilltoppers would outscore the visitors 22-17 in the period. A late run led by Barnes pulled the home team within one at the half.
 
The third quarter proved to be a defensive battle as both teams combined for 17 points. A fourth quarter surge from West Texas provide to be the deciding factor as they outscored St. Edward's 23-15 in the final period.
 
Coach Riehl and her team continue their home stand on Saturday against cross-town rival Huston-Tillotson at 2 p.m. in the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live stats and video will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter and Facebook by search for St. Edward's University Women's Basketball.