AUSTIN, Texas – Early struggles were too much for a solid second half to overcome for the St. Edward's women's basketball team in an 83-64 loss to the No. 16-ranked Texas Woman's University Pioneers. 
 
LAUREN CATHERMAN led four St. Edward's starters in double figures with 14 points, four rebounds, and a game-high five steals for a third consecutive game with at least four. She was efficient with 4-for-8 shooting from the field and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line. 
 
The Hilltoppers opened with solid defense and were within two at 13-11 on a CELISE BOBBITT driving layup with 2:32 remaining in the first. However, Texas Woman's closed the quarter on a 9-2 run, getting seven in a row from Ariyanna Hines on a 3-pointer and two steals for fast-break layups. 
 
Texas Woman's University closed the half on an 8-0 run, hitting two 3-pointers to take a 47-28 lead into the break. JANIAH PERKINS and BAILEY FEATHERSTONE combined for 13 points to lead St. Edward's at the half, and MIKAH CHAPMAN added five off the bench. Leila Patel led TWU with 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting. 
 
St. Edward's adjusted in the third quarter, getting JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER at the elbow for a driving layup, a pair of free throws, and an assist to Catherman on a dribble handoff. Catherman was a perfect 3-for-3 in the quarter with two steals and three free throws. The Hilltoppers were able to cut the deficit to 12 points halfway through the third on a pair of J.P. free throws, but TWU's Patel continued her shooting tear with 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting, and the Pioneers reeled off a 9-0 run to keep the game out of reach. 
 
J.P. finished with 11 points and five rebounds, Ruffus-Milner and BAILEY FEATHERSTONE scored ten each, and Chapman and ISABEL LANGENBERG combined for 17 off the bench. Patel led TWU with 24 points, and Ashley Ingram contributed 15 points and six assists. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 5-9 with a 2-6 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host Oklahoma Christian next Thursday at 5:30 p.m.