AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's Women's Basketball team took on one of their toughest opponents to date and had their best offensive output, but dropped their first home game of the season 93-90 to Tarleton State University Friday evening.

Defenses ruled early as the game remained scoreless through the opening two minutes, but Tarleton soon found their rhythm and went on an 11-0 run to lead 13-2 with four minutes to play in the first.

SEU closed the quarter with a run of their own, using stifling defense to spark an offensive burst to close the gap to six, 17-11.

The TexAnns started the second quarter on a 7-0 run to lead by 13, 24-11, three and a half minutes into the frame. ISABEL HERNANDEZ got hot on both ends of the court to keep SEU in the game and the Hilltoppers went into the locker room trailing nine, 34-25.

St. Edward's shot 30.8% from the floor but went without a bucket from three-point range in the first half while Tarleton went 4-8 from long range.

Out of the break the Hilltoppers had a renewed focus and continued to chip away at the TexAnn lead, pulling within three, 36-33, two and a half minutes in. Tarleton stayed at an arm's length until BAILEY HILL's three from the left wing tied the game at 44-44.

St. Edward's was electric to start the fourth quarter and quickly took control of the game. ABBY HOPPER drove the baseline and hit the layup to hand SEU the lead for the first time, 58-56, with 9:22 to play.

St. Edward's pushed their lead to as many as six but Tarleton was able to claw their way back within one, 77-76, with just over a minute remaining. TSU worked for a shot and missed a three but got the offensive board. Hernandez blocked the put back resulting in a jump ball with the possession arrow belonging to the Hilltoppers.

With the ball and 33.9 seconds on the clock St. Edward's was looking to work some time off but committed a turnover to hand the ball back to Tarleton with 26 seconds remaining. Tarleton's McKinley Bostad drew the foul as she drove the lane hard, earning two shots from the charity stripe. She converted on just one, tying the game 77-77.

Twenty-two seconds remained on the clock as SEU had the ball and control of their destiny in hand. Hernandez's jumper with seconds remaining was just off the mark, sending the game into overtime.

TSU took the lead with 1:52 to play in the extra frame and never allowed the Hilltoppers back on top despite SEU forcing a crucial turnover under their own basket with 26 seconds remaining. Hill earned three the hard way, hitting the layup and resulting free throw after being fouled, but TSU did just enough to fend off the Hilltoppers and take the win.

Hill led with a career-high 26 points, adding in five rebounds, two assists and two steals. MARYAM WILCHER added 22 points on 8-16 shooting from the floor, 2-3 from three point range. Hopper grabbed a team-high eight boards while Hernandez added 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Hilltoppers fall to 8-2 on the year and head to Las Vegas for a pair of games beginning with Washburn on Monday, December 17.