AUSTIN, Texas — MIKAH CHAPMAN was a caffeine shot and a pressure-release valve for a St. Edward's women's basketball team that opened flat, jolting the Hilltoppers to life with 21 points and five steals in an 80–63 win over Sul Ross State to open Lone Star Conference play.

Sul Ross State caught St. Edward's off guard with a barrage of early 3-pointers, hitting its first five attempts in the opening quarter. Victoria Aguayo and Sophiya Bustillos knocked down two apiece, combining for 12 of the Lobos' 18 points in the frame.

St. Edward's got five points each from KIANA BENNETT and RAMSEY ROBLEDO, including a 3-pointer from both, but still trailed 18–13 after the first.
Chapman steadied the Hilltoppers early in the second, knocking down a pair of pick-and-pop jumpers created by SUNI DAVIS before tacking on two free throws, a fastbreak layup, and a pair of steals. The Hilltoppers' bench followed Chapman's lead—outscoring Sul Ross State's reserves 13–0 in the quarter.

Reserve guard RILEY MOORE found her rhythm in the flow of St. Edward's press break, slipping free for two corner 3-pointers, a layup, and two free throws for 10 second-quarter points. Backup center JASMYN JACKSON added three free throws, three rebounds, and steady interior defense as St. Edward's won the quarter 21–14.

Bustillos led all scorers at the half with 13 points on 10 shots, including three from deep, helping the Lobos stay within 34–32 despite St. Edward's momentum. Moore had 10 at the break, while Chapman and Bennett each added seven.

St. Edward's defense came out of halftime with purpose. The Hilltoppers held Sul Ross State to 4-for-18 shooting in the third quarter, forced eight turnovers—six of them live-ball—and turned that chaos into a 13–0 advantage in points off turnovers and a 7–2 edge in fastbreak scoring.

The Hilltoppers reeled off an 18–0 run with Chapman powering the surge. The senior forward opened the half with a steal that led to a Davis fastbreak layup, then piled on two more thefts while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line. Her 10-point quarter fueled a dominant 28–8 St. Edward's advantage heading into the fourth.

Sul Ross State clawed back some ground with eight steals and 10 made free throws in the final frame, but Chapman returned to the floor to bury two quick buckets, and Alaya Flucus added five points and three rebounds to steady the Hilltoppers down the stretch.

Three other Hilltoppers joined Chapman in double figures. Moore finished with 13 points—hitting all three of her 3-point attempts—and added three assists. Bennett and Robledo tallied 11 points and four assists each.

The win marks the fourth straight for St. Edward's (5–2), which continues conference play on Saturday, hosting Western New Mexico at 1 p.m.