LAREDO, Texas – JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER finished through contact, scoring the game-winning layup and ensuing free throw with seven seconds remaining in St. Edward's women's basketball's 66-63 win over Texas A&M-International.
LAUREN CATHERMAN led four Hilltoppers in double figures, scoring 20 points 6-for-13 shooting and pilfering five steals, including one with 15 seconds remaining to set the stage for Ruffus-Milner's heroics. MORGAN GARY added her fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
"What a great team win from the crew display. There was so much resilience, and heart displayed," St. Edward's head women's basketball coach J.J. Riehl says. "On a personal level, I'm so happy for them experience that feeling on the road. My heart is so full and happy for them."
Both teams exchanged runs in a 19-19 first quarter with four ties and three lead changes. Raiana Brown and Vannessa Herrera led Texas A&M International with six points each, and the Dustdevils scored seven points off turnovers. St. Edward's lived at the free-throw line, shooting 9-for-11, led by Catherman's nine points on an efficient 2-for-3 from the field and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.
Texas A&M International reeled off a 9-0 run to take a 32-24 lead with 5:46 remaining in the half. However, St. Edward's closed the quarter with a 9-0 run of its own, getting four points from SAMMIE DUFEK over that stretch and an assist to Gary with 37 seconds remaining to give St. Edward's a 38-36 lead at the half.
Catherman led St. Edward's with 12 at the half, and Gary added seven points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Dufek scored six of her 10 points in the half and finished the game with nine rebounds and two blocks. Brown led Texas A&M International with 10 points and four rebounds.
"Morgan's double-double was huge. Her presence on the boards bailed us out time and time again," Riehl explains. "Also, I can't say enough about Sammie and how she is always our protector in the paint, she was so good today."
St. Edward's struggled from the field in the third quarter, shooting 3-for-15, but got a pair of critical 3-pointers from Catherman and repeatedly got to the free-throw line, converting on six. Brown and Angelique Morgan combined for 12 of Texas A&M International's 16 points to tie the game at 52 heading into the fourth.
Both teams battled in a spirited fourth quarter with four ties and four lead changes. Morgan opened with a driving layup for Texas A&M International, but Gary answered with a 3-pointer off a feed from DAFNE GIANESINI.
Every single Dustdevil basket in the fourth quarter was almost immediately answered by a Hilltopper score. Gary gave the Hilltoppers a two-point lead with a pair of free throws with 1:22 remaining, but Morgan responded with a driving layup to tie the game at 63.
Ruffus-Milner couldn't convert on a driving layup with less than a minute remaining. Still, the Hilltopper defense forced Madison Ansari into a crowd, and Catherman came away with the ball, advancing past halfcourt to call timeout and let assistant coach Khiani Clark draw up a play with 10 seconds remaining.
"Chef Khi keeps serving up sets. She's so good and takes that part of her job seriously," Riehl says of her former player turned assistant coach. "She's always studying and drawing plays up, asking what I think. I told her I trusted her and she drew up a great play. I can't explain how special it is to go through this journey with her by my side after being a player here. She's special and she bailed us out again today like she always does."
Dufek ran up from the paint to the win to receive the inbound pass from Gary while Ruffus-Milner simultaneously cut backdoor off a RONNIE CANTU screen, receiving the quick-hitter from Dufek for the layup and foul, converting the 3-point play.
"The girls executed it perfectly. Sammie made a great pass and Jayda had a terrific finish," Riehl says. "They were so good following through on the plan. I'm beyond proud of our team."
Ruffus-Milner finished with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting with five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Cantu sored six points, and Soric scored two. Brown led International with 18 points and seven rebounds. Morgan scored 14.
St. Edward's improves to 11-11 with a 7-7 conference record. The Hilltoppers are one of three teams with a 7-7 conference record, including Cameron and UT-Permian Basin, vying for the last few spots in the LSC Tournament.
