AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball dropped its first game of the week in a 63-51 loss to the UT Tyler Patriots (RV). 
 
JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER and JANIAH PERKINS led the Hilltoppers with 11 points each against a physical UT Tyler team that limited the Hilltoppers to 38 percent shooting for the game. 
 
Late in the first quarter, UT Tyler picked up its defensive pressure by pressing full court and an aggressive zone in the half court. The Patriots were physical at the point of attack, creating deflections and three steals for four fast-break points, taking an 18-10 lead after the first quarter. 
 
St. Edward's guard RONNIE CANTU came off the bench and helped stabilize the offense with three assists in the first half, finding MIKAH CHAPMAN flashing to the high post for a quick jumper and hitting JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER for a pair of layups. 
 
Ruffus-Milner led St. Edward's with eight first-half points, cutting to the basket and keeping defenders off balance with her bag of step-throughs, spins, and pivots to shoot 3-for-5 from the field and drain a pair of free throws. 
 
St. Edward's had seven steals in the second half but surrendered three 3-pointers and 8-for-12 shooting to trail 39-27 at the break. Nine different Patriots scored, led by Ella Bradley's nine points on four shots. 
 
Bradley continued her momentum in the third quarter, draining all three of her shots for seven points. CELISE BOBBITT steadied the team with five points of her nine points off the bench, though the Hilltoppers were outscored 15-9 in the quarter. 
 
St. Edward's picked up its defensive pressure in the fourth quarter, pilfering five steals for eight fast-break points. J.P. posted nine points in the quarter, hitting a 3-pointer, a layup, and four free throws. 
 
The Hilltoppers drop to 5-8 with a 2-5 conference record. UT Tyler improves to 14-3 and remains undefeated in eight conference contests. St. Edward's will host No. 16 Texas Woman's University on Saturday.