AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's gave #21 St. Mary's all they could handle and nearly pulled out the upset, falling 59-57 on a last second shot.

The tone was set early as both teams came out aggressive defensively as it took nearly two minutes before the first field goal of the contest. A Hilltopper run midway through the first allowed SEU to take a two point lead into the second quarter, 12-10.

A pair of three's by St. Edward's to start the second put the Hilltoppers up eight, 18-10. St. Mary's hung tight and took advantage of a costly turnover with seconds left. The Rattler's Kaitlin Walla picked off the pass and hit a three just before the buzzer to send SEU into the locker room trailing 27-25.

LEXI CUNNINGHAM gave the Hilltoppers a boost off the bench, scoring a team-high eight points in 11 minutes in the first half.

After a tight third quarter the game was poised to go into the fourth deadlocked at 40, but MARYAM WILCHER had other plans and drained a three as time expired to send SEU into the final frame with a three-point lead, 43-40.

A frenzied pace started the fourth and with just over five minutes to play SEU held a six point advantage, 54-48. A 7-0 Rattler run put St. Mary's on top 55-54 with 1:53 remaining. A tough layup by Cunningham broke the scoring drought for SEU, but StMU had the answer to remain up by one, 57-56.

SEU drew a charge on the defensive end, giving the Hilltoppers the ball with 33 seconds left and trailing by one. Cunningham's three was just off the mark and went out of bounds on the rebound. On the defensive end Cunningham forced the turnover and was fouled on the play with four seconds remaining and headed to the free throw line for the bonus.

After just missing the first, Cunningham swished the second, tying the game 57-57. St. Mary's called a timeout and drew up a play to get the ball in Alexia Torres' hands. Torres shook her defender and drove down the right side of the lane, throwing up a prayer as time expired that dropped to give the Rattlers the win.

Cunningham led with 14 points in 23 minutes while Wilcher ended with 13. StMU's Soteria Banks led all scorers with 20 points.

St. Edward's falls to 8-7 on the season and 0-1 in Heartland Conference play and remains at home to face Oklahoma Christian for a 1 pm tip.