LAREDO, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball opened with a strong first quarter but couldn't sustain the momentum against the Lone Star Conference's top offense statistically, falling 91-72 to No. 25 Texas A&M International. 
 
St. Edward's starting first-years opened the game on fire, combining for 22 points on 14 shots in the first quarter.
 
JANIAH PERKINS scored nine of the Hilltoppers' first 16 points, giving St. Edward's a 16-11 lead roughly six minutes in on a layup and free throw 3-point play. BAILEY FEATHERSTONE got going with a parade to the free-throw line, hitting 5-for-6 in the quarter, hit a pair of 3-pointers, and another basket to erupt for 13 first-quarter points to lead the Hilltoppers to a 27-19 lead. 
 
The Hilltoppers forced eight turnovers in the quarter, generating six steals, and assisted on seven of their nine made field goals in 17 attempts. 
 
Texas A&M International righted itself with a 9-0 run early in the second quarter, turning the tables by a point better with a 27-18 run to take a 46-45 lead into the break. Telisha Brown led the Dustdevil charge with 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting, and Texas A&M International shot 7-for-12 in the quarter. Featherstone led St. Edward's with 17 points at the break. 
 
The Dustdevils opened the second half with the highest-scoring quarter of the game, putting up 30 points on 10-for-17 shooting. Reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week, Raiana Brown came to life with 18 points, hitting 6-for-9 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line, putting TAMIU up by as much as 16. 
 
MIKAH CHAPMAN got an extended opportunity for St. Edward's in the fourth quarter and made the most of it with eight points. 
 
Featherstone led St. Edward's with 21 points on 16 shots. J.P. added 14 and three assists, and JAYDA RUFFUS-MILNER rounded out the Hilltoppers in double figures with 10 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. RONNIE CANTU scored nine off the bench, and Chapman had eight. 
 
Raiana Brown led all scorers with 32 points on 11-for-16 shooting and nine free throws. All five starters scored in double figures. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 5-6 with a 2-3 conference record. The Hilltoppers will stay on the road to play Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday.