AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's women's basketball faded in the second half against Cameron, surrendering a 10-point halftime lead in a 79-65 loss to the Aggies.
KIANA BENNETT and J.P. led St. Edward's with 16 points each, and BAILEY FEATHERSTONE scored 15 off the bench, but the trio did most of its damage in the first half, and Grace Alverson got free for 23 points, hitting 7-for-10 from deep, to lead the Aggies.
St. Edward's opened the game by firing away from beyond the 3-point line. J.P. and Bennett each hit a pair of corner 3-pointers, and ISABEL LANGENBERG added one from the top of the key. The Hilltoppers shot 5-for-7 from the 3-point line, getting free on corner-to-corner skip passes, finding clean looks in transition, and off offensive rebounds.
Cameron countered by going to Shamica Smith inside, muscling her way to seven first-quarter points and drawing three fouls to lead the Aggies to a 20-19 first-quarter lead.
St. Edward's defense intensified in the second quarter, limiting Cameron to 3-for-12 shooting and forcing five turnovers, which the Hilltoppers cashed in for six points. J.P. and Bennett kept their steady production going, combining for 10 points, and Featherstone erupted for nine points on 4-for-6 shooting. The Hilltoppers outscored the Aggies 22-11 in the quarter to take a 41-31 lead into the break.
J.P. led all scorers with 12 points at the half. Featherstone contributed 11 points, and Bennett added 10. The Hilltoppers assisted on 11 of their 14 made field goals with only three turnovers.
Alverson caught fire for Cameron in the third quarter, hitting all four of her 3-point attempts, and Madison Griggs added nine. RAMSEY ROBLEDO hit both shot attempts in the third, but the Hilltoppers shot just 5-for-15 in the quarter, and the Aggies outscored the Hilltoppers 30-13 to take a 54-61 lead.
St. Edward's offense struggled in the fourth, shooting 2-for-12, while Cameron outscored the Hilltoppers 12-2 in the paint to pull away for good. The Hilltoppers drop to 10-16 with a 6-10 conference record after the loss. St. Edward's will host Oklahoma Christian on Saturday.
