LAREDO, Texas – After a strong start to the game, St. Edward's women's basketball was outscored 22-6 in the second quarter to drop their first contest of 2021, 75-62 to Texas A&M International Thursday.
 
SEU started the game well, leading early before the Dustdevils went on a 7-0 run. At the end of the first the Hilltoppers trailed by four, 22-18.
 
CHARLI BECKER pulled St. Edward's within two, 22-20, to start the second quarter, but SEU was held to just two field goals over 9:52 and went into the locker room facing a 20-point deficit, 44-24.
 
Head Coach J.J. Reihl refocused the troops for the second half as SEU posted an impressive third quarter. TAMIU had their largest lead of the game, 26 points, early in the third quarter before St. Edward's jumped into action. The Hilltoppers steadily chipped away at the lead and outscored TAMIU 27-11 in the final nine minutes of the quarter to pull within ten points, 61-51, heading into the final frame.
 
A fastbreak three from D'AVIYON MAGAZINE opened the fourth quarter and cut the Dustdevil lead to seven, 61-54, but that is as close as the Hilltoppers could get.
 
Junior guard CHRISTINA MASON led in most categories with an impressive game, posting 18 points with seven assists and five steals. Freshman LAUREN CATHERMAN chipped in 11 points in 18 minutes of action due to foul trouble while SAMMIE DUFEK and MCCALL HAMPTON added nine points each. Becker was the leading rebounder for the Hilltoppers with seven boards, adding three assists, two steals and one block.
 
The loss drops SEU to 2-3 on the season and 2-3 in Lone Star Conference play. They return to action on Saturday, returning home to face TAMIU at 1 pm.