AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball had its three-game win streak snapped, falling 63-51 to the No. 19-ranked Angelo State Rambelles.
The Hilltoppers struggled early against an Angelo State defense ranked ninth in the country in field goal percentage defense. The Rambelles weaponize their size on defense, starting 6-foot-3 Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant and 6-foot Aicha Ndir in the front court.
Angelo State opened with both mobile forwards on MORGAN GARY and JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER, forcing the duo to shoot over the top of their long arms.
Though Gary was able to get downhill or muscle her way into the paint, scoring six points in the first quarter, the Hilltoppers struggled to finish inside in general. St. Edward's opened 4-for-15 from the field in the first quarter. On the other end, Angelo State fed McGhee-Pleasant early, getting seven points on 3-for-3 shooting, including a step-back 3-pointer, to take a 21-11 lead after the first 10 minutes.
St. Edward's found its footing on the defensive end in the second quarter, limiting the Rambelles to 5-for-15 shooting and keeping them off the free-throw line entirely. Reserve MATILDA SORIC gave the Hilltoppers quality minutes off the bench, using her size and length to create deflections on the perimeter or help inside while spacing the floor with a pair of 3-pointers. St. Edward's outscored Angelo State with Soric on the floor, and that factor was amplified when Ruffus-Milner was paired with her in the second quarter when St. Edward's outscored Angelo State 14-11 to trail 32-25 at the half.
The Hilltopper offense struggled in the third quarter, shooting just 2-for-14 from the field. However, the defense kept Angelo State within arm's reach, forcing seven turnovers, including three steals, while falling behind 43-32 after three quarters.
Both teams found their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter. Each team shot 8-for-17, though Angelo State hit two more 3-pointers to outscore St. Edward's 20-19. Sawyer Lloyd led the Rambelles with eight points in the quarter, hitting both of her 3-point attempts to keep the Hilltoppers at bay.
Gary led St. Edward's with 12 points on 6-for-16 shooting with eight rebounds. Soric added nine points off the bench with two steals, and the Hilltoppers outscored the Rambelles by six in her 20 minutes of play. Lloyd led three Rambelles in double figures with 16 points. She also had a game-high nine assists. McGhee-Pleasant added 12 points, and Morrow scored 10 with four assists.
St. Edward's falls to 10-10 with a 6-6 conference record after the loss. The Hilltoppers will travel next week with a road game against Texas A&M - Kingsville on Thursday and Texas A&M International on Saturday.
