AUSTIN – St. Edward's women's basketball lost the rebounding battle Saturday to drop the annual Battle of the Saints 75-70. The Hilltoppers were -7 in rebounding margin and allowed 14 offensive rebounds to the Rattlers.
 
After a balanced start to the contest St. Mary's took control, going on a 8-3 run in the final three minutes of the first quarter to go up seven, 26-19.
 
SEU quickly responded and pulled within one, 31-30, on D'AVIYON MAGAZINE's three with 5:20 to play in the half. Despite pulling so close the Hilltoppers were unable to take the lead and trailed 41-34 at the break.
 
A three-point play by CHRISTINA MASON tied the game for the first time since early in the contest, 51-51, with 2:13 remaining in the third.
 
CHARLI BECKER's three with just under six minutes left in the game put SEU on top 60-59, but the lead was short lived as the Rattlers went on a 9-0 run over a five minute stretch to put the Hilltoppers down eight, 68-60, with 1:09 to play.
 
St. Mary's hit crucial free throws down the stretch to hold the Hilltoppers at arm's length despite eight points from Becker in the final minute.
 
Becker led the Hilltoppers with a career-high 17 points while DEIJAH BLANKS added 16. Magazine contributed 13 points and LEXI CUNNINGHAM 12 while the Hilltoppers shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and 45 percent from three-point range in the loss.
 
St. Edward's drops to 7-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Lone Star Conference. They return to action following a long, holiday break, hosting Oklahoma Christian at 5:30 pm on January 2.