SILVER CITY, N.M. – St. Edward's women's basketball battled nearly all the way back from a 15-point first-half deficit but fell short by a foot on the line and a fingertip on a shot in a 54-51 loss to undefeated Western New Mexico. 
 
The Hilltoppers struggled early with a 3-for-15 first quarter, while Western New Mexico's Milan Tuttle scored six points off the bench to spark a 9-0 run to close the quarter for the 16-9 lead after ten minutes. 
 
Western New Mexico expanded its lead to double digits in the second, going up as much as 15 when Eliza Joynes hit a 3-pointer with 4:46 remaining in the half for the 27-12 lead. St. Edward's responded with a late 6-0 run. 
 
JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER started the run with a block on one end and a pair of free throws on the other. She followed that with a steal and a layup, then JANIAH PERKINS closed the half with a pull-up jumper with 13 seconds remaining to bring the Hilltoppers to within 29-22. 
 
St. Edward's reeled off an early 7-0 run in the third quarter, getting back-to-back fast break layups off defensive rebounds, including a layup and foul for BAILEY FEATHERSTONE, to pull within one possession at 33-31. However, the Mustangs scored the following seven points and used a balanced scoring attack to add to their halftime lead, going into the fourth quarter up 45-37. 
 
The Hilltoppers opened the fourth quarter with a stellar defensive possession, forcing a shot clock violation, and J.P. followed with a turnaround jumper. The first-year guard found her rhythm with that shot, scoring eight points in the quarter, and the Hilltoppers put together a 6-0 run late, with LAUREN CATHERMAN contributing an offensive rebound and score, then assist to AINSLEY THUNELL with 3:07 remaining to pull within four at 49-45. 
 
After Western New Mexico hit a 3-pointer, J.P. went on a 4-0 run with a driving layup and free throws. The Hilltoppers secured a defensive rebound and executed a brilliant play down three out of a timeout to free Featherstone for an open look in the corner. Unfortunately, her foot was on the line, keeping St. Edward's one point short with 27 seconds remaining. 
 
Western New Mexico's Sydney Wright hit a pair of clutch free throws, but the Hilltoppers got two unsuccessful looks at a 3-pointer to tie the game. Catherman missed the first shot, but Ruffus-Milner drew an offensive foul on the ensuing inbounds play. 
 
St. Edward's found Featherstone in the corner again, but Brooke Rodgers got a hand on the ball to block the shot, and the rebound fell to Diamond Moore to seal the win for Western New Mexico. 
 
Jade Goynes and Wright led Western New Mexico with 11 points each. J.P. led three Hilltoppers in double figures with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Ruffus-Millner scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Featherstone had 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 2-4 with a 1-1 conference record. The Hilltoppers will return home to host Southwestern on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.