AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's University Women's Basketball fell to Texas A&M-Commerce, 67-53, on Saturday afternoon, despite a breakout performance from senior forward
ATEH ADE.
Ade came off the bench and scored a career-high eight points, and grabbed three steals.
KHIANI CLARK also had an impressive performance, leading all scorers and rebounders with 16 points and nine boards.
SHAKERA BARNES led the Hilltoppers in assists for the seventh time in eight games with four, and scored 11 points.
HALEY JOLY was a force to be reckoned with on defense with game highs in steals (4), and block (2).
"Teddy (Ade) had a great game for us off the bench. She was what you would call a game changer. She did the things you're supposed to do when you come in off the bench," said head coach J.J. Riehl. " However, it's the same thing we've been saying all year. Wide-open shots were missed. It was a good effort, but not good enough. Every team that comes to the hilltop shoots well in our gym, and we didn't make it difficult enough for them. This was a very winnable game. That was the expectation, and this young group is going to go through this until they figure out a way to get it done."
In the opening quarter, St. Edward's spread the scoring around as Barnes, Clark, and Ade all scored for the Hilltoppers with four points coming off of turnovers. However, fastbreak points (4) and support off the bench in the form of 10 points gave the Lions a 13-8 edge at the buzzer.
Coach Riehl's team continued to score off turnovers in the second quarter with four more points off of TAMU-Commerce miscues. Baskets in the paint from
ABBY HOPPER, Clark, Ade, and Barnes gave the Hilltoppers an 8-4 edge in that category as well. However, the Lions continued to shoot efficiently and extended their lead to 14. The Toppers sank three-straight free throws in the final minute to make it 34-23 at the half.
Coming out of the break, baskets began to fall for St. Edward's, and they cut the Lion lead to five. However, that would be as close as the home would come to the lead, despite winning the third quarter 16-14. Commerce pulled in away in the final period, using a 10-2 run to clinch the win.
Coach Riehl and her team continue action with their Heartland Conference opener this Thursday on the hilltop against Newman. The women are the first half of a double feature that tips off at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow. Live stats and video will be available at GoHilltoppers.com and fans can follow the team on Twitter at @SEUWBasketball.
