DENTON, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball rallied but could not overcome a sluggish start against the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, losing 59-50 to the Texas Woman's University Pioneers. 
 
J.P. led St. Edward's with 16 points, and ISABEL LANGENBERG and BAILEY FEATHERSTONE combined for 15 off the bench, but Scout Huffman scored 22 for TWU, and Ashley Ingram added an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double. 
 
Ingram had 12 points and 10 rebounds at halftime, and Huffman added 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting. J.P. overcame a slow start to score six in the second quarter, but the Hilltoppers shot just 23.1 percent from the field and trailed 29-16 at the break. 
 
The Hilltoppers scored the first four points of the second half to pull within single digits. RAMSEY ROBLEDO found KIANA BENNETT for a layup, AINSLEY THUNELL intercepted a pass, and J.P. hit a pull-up jumper in the paint. 
 
St. Edward's defense ramped up in the third, forcing seven turnovers, including four steals. The effort also picked up on the glass with five offensive rebounds, and the Hilltoppers outscored TWU 16-14 in the quarter to trail 43-32 heading into the fourth. 
 
Langenberg hit a 3-pointer to open the quarter, and J.P. followed with a step-back jumper to pull within six. Huffman answered with a 3-pinter, but Bennett responded with one of her own, prompting a TWU timeout with 7:21 remaining. 
 
The Pioneers reeled off a 7-0 run to go back up 13. The Hilltoppers twice cut the deficit to nine but couldn't complete the comeback. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 6-11 with a 2-6 conference record. The Hilltoppers will return to the road next week for games at Oklahoma Christian and Cameron on Thursday and Saturday.