WICHITA FALLS, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball struggled in the second and third quarters of a 69-65 loss to the Midwestern State University Mustangs. 
 
St. Edward's opened the game with stifling defense in the first quarter, limiting Midwestern State star center Zarria Carter to 1-for-5 shooting from the floor and a single rebound. MIKAH CHAPMAN scored on a short jumper in the paint off the opening tip, then a turnaround jumper after a J.P. steal, and a layup following a Midwestern State shot clock violation for a 6-0 lead.
 
The Mustangs battled back to within one at 9-8 on a Kerbie Cash layup from Calyssa Sevier, but KIANA BENNETT hit a 3-pointer, four free throws, and a layup over the final five minutes of the quarter. St. Edward's defense entrenched itself further, going up 20-10 after back-to-back blocks led to a fast-break layup and one made free throw on consecutive trips.
 
St. Edward's defense shut down Midwestern State early in the second, getting two early fast-break layups from Robledo to Featherstone and MIKAH CHAPMAN off of defensive rebounds and a forced shot block violation. 
 
Robledo showcased a brilliant floor game, grabbing eight rebounds and four assists before her first made field goal, drilling a 3-pointer from several feet behind the line with 5:25 remaining in the first half. Chapman followed with a steal and layup for a 32-15 lead, leading to Midwestern State timeout. 
 
Midwestern State responded with a 14-0 run, and the Hilltopper offense committed four turnovers down the stretch, not allowing the defense time to set itself, watching the lead dwindle to 32-29 at the half. 
 
The Mustangs' momentum continued with Sevier and Carisa Cortez's 3-pointers sandwiching a J.P. layup to give Midwestern State its first lead, followed by a Carter fast-break layup to go up 37-34. Cortez caught fire, hitting all five of her shot attempts in the quarter, including four 3-pointers, and Midwestern State outscored St. Edward's 26-12 in the third for a 55-44 lead.
 
St. Edward's opened the fourth on an 8-0 run. J.P. opened the fourth with a layup and assisted AINSLEY THUNELL. Chapman scored on a tip-in, and Thunell hit two free throws to pull within three at 55-52. 
 
Thunell scored nine points on four shots in the fourth, and J.P. added six points and an assist, but Carter and Cash answered each St. Edward's run, combining for 11 of the Mustangs' 14 points to stop the Hilltoppers' comeback. 
 
J.P. led St. Edward's with 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting and matched Robledo for the team-high rebounds with eight. Chapman scored 12 with three steals, Thunell added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Bennett finished with 11. Carter led Midwestern State with 19 points and 17 rebounds, and Cortez and Cash scored 17. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 5-7 with a 2-2 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host Arlington Baptist on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.