AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball had its Wednesday home opener spoiled by crosstown foe Huston-Tillotson 76-72 at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
Senior SHAKERA BARNES scored 21 points and dished out a career-high 12 assists but that was not enough as the Hilltoppers dropped their second straight.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Huston-Tillotson raced out to an 18-6 lead in the first five minutes of play. The Lady Rams made four shots from behind the arc to spur the run.
• St. Edward's used a 17-4 run to end the first quarter with a 23-22 lead.
• Huston-Tillotson's Deandra Darjean scored 11 points in the second quarter to give the visitors a 43-39 advantage at the break.
• Lolita Franklin hit three shots from downtown to help the Lady Rams increase their lead to double digits at the end of the third quarter.
• The Hilltopper defense buckled down in the fourth quarter, holding Huston-Tillotson to just 25 percent shooting. However, a late free throw by Dezarai Spencer sealed the win for the Lady Rams with 13 seconds left.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• St. Edward's had four players in double-figure scoring with KHIANI CLARK (17), HALEY JOLY (14), and MADISON SCHENCK (12) joining Barnes.
• Barnes' 12 assists are tied for the sixth-most in school history for a single game.
• St. Edward's produced season highs in both rebounding (46) and assists (16).
• St. Edward's still owns the all-time series advantage between the two teams, 31-13, but the Lady Rams snapped a 30-game losing streak to the Hilltoppers.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH J.J. RIEHL
"The opponents were more excited about the game than we were. We were passive and did not have a real concentrated attitude. You can't give teams 76 points and expect to win. We are struggling defensively. Right now, we are practicing harder than we are playing."
 
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers hit the road Friday to face No. 3 West Texas. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Canyon, Texas, at the First United Bank Center. Live video and stats will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Huston-Tillotson 76, St. Edward's 72
Records: St. Edward's (1-2), Huston-Tillotson (1-2)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Barnes (21), Huston-Tillotson-Darjean (26)
Attendance: 208

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