DURANGO, Colo. — St. Edward's women's basketball closed a long road trip against an undefeated Fort Lewis College team on Tuesday, surrendering a decisive third quarter in a 78–67 loss to the Skyhawks.
The Hilltoppers' starting backcourt carried the offensive load, with
KIANA BENNETT scoring 16 points and
SUNI DAVIS adding 15 on a combined 7-for-18 shooting. Both guards made their mark at the free-throw line, going a combined 15-for-16 against a physical Fort Lewis defense.
But the game swung late in the third. Fort Lewis closed the period on a 9-0 run to stretch its lead to 14, outscoring St. Edward's 16–6 in the paint and 11–2 off turnovers to break the contest open.
Davis set the tone early, scoring all four of her first-quarter points at the line as St. Edward's went a perfect 8-for-8 to take a 16–15 lead. The Hilltoppers continued to live at the line in a second quarter that saw five lead changes, but the Skyhawks created separation through volume — generating a 22–13 advantage in shot attempts in the period behind offensive rebounds and turnovers.
Fort Lewis guard Katie Lamb sparked the run with nine points on six shots in the quarter and finished the half with 15.
JASMYN JACKSON gave the Hilltoppers a lift off the bench with eight points as St. Edward's trailed 35–34 at the break.
The game remained a one-possession battle midway through the third after Bennett found
JAE'LA HICKS for a short jumper to make it 45–42. But Fort Lewis answered with a 16–2 surge, fueled by Claudio Palacio Gamez and Josie Davis, who combined for 13 points as St. Edward's shot 4-for-15 and struggled to secure the ball.
While Bennett and Davis rediscovered their rhythm with 13 combined points in the fourth, the Hilltoppers' comeback bid never materialized. Seven third-quarter turnovers and six surrendered offensive rebounds created too large a gap to overcome.
Lamb led four Skyhawks in double figures with 18 points. Jackson posted her second strong performance in a row for St. Edward's with 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.
St. Edward's drops to 1–2 and returns home Friday morning for its annual Travis Heights Game against Arlington Baptist.
