SALT LAKE CITY – St. Edward's women's basketball played its third nationally-ranked team in as many weeks, falling to No. 21 Colorado Mesa 68-42 to split its weekend road trip at the Westminster Basketball Invitational. 
 
J.P. led St. Edward's with 16 points, and ISABEL LANGENBERG added eight off the bench, but the Hilltoppers struggled from the field in the second half, shooting 25 percent after the break. 
 
Colorado Mesa broke through a formidable first-quarter St. Edward's defense with a 10-0 run capped off by a Riley Hayes jumper with three minutes remaining in the first to go up nine. BAILEY FEATHERSTONE cut the deficit to six off an assist from RILEY MOORE to trail 19-13. 
 
St. Edward's found its offensive rhythm in the second quarter, hitting 7-for-12 from the field in a balanced scoring attack. AINSLEY THUNELL and J.P. scored four each, RAMSEY ROBLEDO hit a 3-pointer, and Langenber added a bucket. Hayes and Mykaela Moore combined for nine of Colorado Mesa's 13 points in the quarter to give the Mavericks a 32-28 lead at the half. 
 
The Hilltoppers went cold from the field in the third quarter, shooting 3-for-14, and Colorado Mesa reeled off a late 10-0 run to take a 17-point lead. Olivia Reed and Kylie Kravig combined for 15 points to lead Colorado Mesa to a 51-35 lead after three. J.P. scored four points in the fourth, and Langenberg hit a 3-pointer, but St. Edward's shooting woes continued. 
 
St. Edward's falls to 3-4 on the season, winning three of four against RMAC opponents. The Hilltoppers will open conference play next week with a road game at Lubbock Christian on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.