AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's continued to defend their home court Thursday evening, posting a 68-50 win over Huston-Tillotson to improve to 7-1 on the year.
 
What started as a quiet first quarter quickly turned into a dominating performance on both ends of the floor by the Hilltoppers. SEU outscored HTU 12-2 in the final five minutes while holding the Rams without a field goal, taking a nine-point advantage into the second quarter 16-7.
 
The defensive pressure continued into the second as St. Edward's posted their largest lead of the first half, 12 points, just over two minutes into the frame. Just as the Hilltopper offense went quiet the Rams charged on to pull within three, 23-20, on Korie Pichon's three with 3:40 to go in the half. MARYAM WILCHER had the answer, however, draining a three of her own on the next possession. The six-point advantage would last until halftime, 31-25.
 
BAILEY HILL's layup on the opening possession of the third kicked off a run that found SEU up 11, 39-28, four minutes in. By the 3:14 mark the lead had swelled to 14 on a layup by ISABEL HERNANDEZ and the Hilltoppers headed into the fourth up 49-38.
 
The Rams hung within striking distance early in the fourth but St. Edward's was able to build on their lead and posted their largest lead of the game, 17 points, with 2:38 to play. SEU closed the game on the defensive end of the court, holding HTU scoreless in the final two minutes.
 
Wilcher led all scorers with 26 points on 10-18 shooting from the floor, 2-6 from three-point range. Hernandez added another double-double to her resume with a 14 point, 11 rebound performance. ABBY HOPPER grabbed nine boards and Sami Dufek seven as SEU out-rebounded Huston-Tillotson 35-25.
 
The Hilltoppers are off to their best start since the 2013-14 season and remain at home to face Jarvis Christian College on Tuesday, December 4 at 6 pm.