FORT SMITH, Ark. – St. Edward's starting backcourt took centerstage for a night, combining for 37 points to defeat the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions in a high-scoring 78-73 victory, sweeping the two-game road trip. 

RONNIE CANTU led four Hilltoppers in double figures, scoring a career-high 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 3-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line. Additionally, Arkansas Forth Smith couldn't keep LAUREN CATHERMAN off the free-throw line, where she hit 10-of-13, finishing with 18 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. 

JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER also contributed a spectacular all-around game, scoring 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field with four made free throws and four steals. 

"This was a great team win today. I'm so proud of our ability to win a tough Saturday game in a tough atmosphere after a long week," St. Edward's head women's basketball coach J.J. Riehl says. "Ronnie and Lauren were so good the entire game. Down the stretch, they were phenomenal and put us on their backs. They hit big shots, made big defensive plays, and were effective against the press. Those two played with great confidence." 

St. Edward's opened the game by forcing back-to-back turnovers, turning a Catherman steal into a Ruffus-Milner fast-break layup, and a bad pass into a driving layup and free throw from Cantu for the quick 5-0 lead. 

Hannah Boyett put Arkansas Fort Smith on the board with a 3-pointer, but St. Edward's responded with a Ruffus-Milner layup and SAMMIE DUFEK layup and free throw for the 10-3 lead three minutes into the game. 

Six different Hilltoppers scored in the first quarter with a balanced attack in which Ruffus-Milner was the only St. Edward's player who made more than one field goal in taking an 18-13 lead. 

Cantu, Catherman, and reserve DAFNE GIANESINI scored five points each in the second quarter, opening up a 14-point lead with 4:24 remaining in the first half. However, Arkansas Fort Smith responded with a 7-0 run sparked by back-to-back points in the paint scored by Kayla Brundidge. The Lions cut their deficit to five on a pair of free throws by Esther Oluade with 45 seconds remaining, but Dufek followed with a layup to give the Hilltoppers a 38-31 lead at the half. 

Riley Hayes scored eight points on three shots in the third quarter, bringing the Lions as close as three points. However, St. Edward's answered every run, getting five points each from Cantu, MORGAN GARY, and Ruffus-Milner, a pair of free throws from Catherman, and a big 3-pointer from ISABEL LANGENBERG to cling to a 58-53 lead heading into the fourth. 

Arkansas Fort Smith scored two quick layups to open the final quarter, cutting the lead to one. However, Catherman responded with her first two of seven made free throws in the quarter and Gary scored a layup to give the Hilltoppers some breathing room. 

The Lions brought the game to within a single possession on each of their following two possessions. Still, Cantu answered with a pair of 3-pointers to keep Arkansas Fort Smith at bay, and Gianesini scored a critical 3-point play on a layup and foul to put St. Edward's up seven with 3:55 remaining. 

Gianesini was a significant boost off the bench, scoring 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting and grabbing four rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes. Langenberg also provided some critical minutes, hitting a pair of 3-pointers. 

"Dafne was a huge spark plug off the bench for us. For her to contribute 11 points helped us not have any drop off offensively during rotations. But more than that, she brought toughness," Riehl says. "Izzy was also great. She knocked down two big 3-pointers, but more importantly, she stepped up when Morgan fouled out." 

Arkansas Fort Smith went on a 5-0 run to pull within 73-71 with 1:55 remaining, but Catherman iced the game with five free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. 

"For our team to lead the entire 40 minutes and never get rattled by the runs they made was a testament to our growth this year," Riehl explains. "We're figuring out how to win close games, what it takes, and what it feels like. We're starting to come together and figure things out." 

St. Edward's returns to .500 with a 9-9 record, including 5-5 in conference play. The Hilltoppers will return home and host Texas Permian Basin (8-9, 5-6) on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m.