Near the end of Tuesday's practice, the St. Edward's women's basketball team went through its situational drills with a renewed sense of joy and confidence.
Sunday's thrilling overtime win over Texas A&M-Kingsville tested the Hilltoppers' mettle on multiple occasions during the fourth quarter and overtime. Yet, each time, the team stepped away from the fire with new confidence.
"That win was huge for us. It helped us go into this week with confidence, momentum, and energy," St. Edward's head women's basketball coach J.J. Riehl says. "It helped us be lighthearted in practice, and I think it even helps us with focus. I thought it was huge getting that win before going on the road for four games."
St. Edward's season has been one of trial and error, learning on the fly. Each time the Hilltoppers have faced a rough first game, the team has followed with a better performance in the second. Last Thursday, the women struggled against Texas A&M International's hyperaggressive defense in the first half, then found some flow with a few tweak's in the second.
On Sunday, the team carried the lessons from the previous loss into better execution down the stretch, finding an offensive identity it could build on.
"So far this year, we've not been a great sets team. Most of the time, we've run through our continuous offense and gotten looks out of that," Riehl explains. "This weekend, when we went to our sets, we were able to get some quick-hitters and backdoor cuts, and the offense was able to score in ways we hadn't been able to all year in pressure situations."
Finding comfort and continuity on the offensive end is critical as the Hilltoppers hit the road for two challenging road games, including a Thursday contest against UT-Tyler, one of the top defensive teams in the Lone Star Conference.
UT-Tyler ranked sixth in the latest D2SIDA Regional Rankings with an 11-2 record, including 6-0 in conference play. The Patriots play a swarming zone that generates turnovers in droves, ranking second in the LSC in steals and turnovers with three of the top 10 individual leaders in steals, second in scoring defense, and third in field-goal percentage defense.
On the other end, the Patriots play a five-out offense led by slashing guards Destini Whitehead, Tina Machalova, and sharpshooter Lovisa Hevinder.
"Tyler is going to zone us, which teams don't see much of anymore," Riehl says. "Can we score against the zone and slow down their five-out offense? It's about keeping them in front and staying out of [defensive] rotation."
The emergence of JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER as an offensive hub might offer a foundation against the UT-Tyler 2-3 zone, where her quick drives from the elbows and baselines and interior passing can dissect a defense. In conference play, Ruffus-Milner averages 11.8 points per game on 63.6 percent shooting.
"The biggest thing is she came back from Christmas break with a renewed sense of confidence and conviction," Riehl says. "She's been with us for three months now, so there's a level of comfort and peace."
SAMMIE DUFEK continuing to take midrange jumpers and make intuitive cuts confidently, as she did on Sunday in the first half and for the game-winner, will also be vital to taking pressure off the guards.
"Sammie is a different player outside regarding the confidence in her shot. She's put a lot of time and effort into it, and her teammates have faith in her," Riehl says. "For her to hit the game-winner – many players go their entire careers without one – there's not a better person that could've happened to, and I'm happy she got that experience."
Dufek's defense will be vital against a tough Texas Woman's University (11-1, 6-0) team. TWU takes care of the ball and gets to the free-throw line, averaging the most free-throws attempts in the conference. Second-year post player Ashley Ingram, who combines size with mobility, leads the Pioneers, averaging 15.3 points per game on 53.7 percent shooting.
"Both teams are great, but as I've said many times, it's about us and our ability to compete and give ourselves a chance in the fourth quarter," Riehl says. "We've got to figure out how to be successful on Thursday, which will make Saturday a lot different. We can't repeat where we don't play well in the first game and have that pressure in the second."
