AUSTIN – St. Edward's women's basketball took the lead early and never looked back, downing Western New Mexico 72-53 Thursday evening. 
 
The Hilltoppers were strong early and took a 15-point lead, 37-22, in halftime by holding the Mustangs to just 11 points in each quarter.
 
WNMU started the third quarter strong and made the game interesting, pulling within seven points by the end of the third, 45-38.
 
SEU surged ahead in the fourth quarter to win by nearly 20 points.
 
The Hilltoppers shot 46.4 percent from the floor and held the Mustangs to 35.1 percent. TAYLOR COCKERILL led with a double-double, posting 16 points and a team high 11 rebounds. LAUREN CATHERMAN led all scorers with 18 points.
 
Catherman and Cockerill also led defensively with four steals each.
 
St. Edward's improves to 11-9 on the year and 4-5 in Lone Star Conference play. They return to action on Monday, hosting West Texas A&M at 1 pm.