AUSTIN, Texas — J.P. Perkins kept finding a way into the paint, pulling St. Edward's women's basketball back into a game that threatened to slip away. The redshirt junior scored 12 of her game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Hilltoppers cut a 12-point deficit to four before South Dakota Mines held on for a 65-60 victory Saturday.
Perkins shot 8-for-16 from the field, drew nine fouls, and added four steals. HANNAH BRISKEY contributed 11 points and five rebounds, but another difficult afternoon from beyond the arc slowed St. Edward's, which finished 3-for-24 from 3-point range.
The Hilltoppers found early opportunities inside and at the free-throw line. Briskey followed a miss for a putback, Perkins finished a drive, and NOA FELLER hit a transition 3-pointer off a Briskey assist. JASMINE MCKENZIE added two free throws to push St. Edward's ahead 13–6, its largest lead of the afternoon.
St. Edward's took a 20–15 advantage into the second quarter, but the offense stalled as the Hilltoppers made three of their next 14 shots. South Dakota Mines worked its way back behind Ava Koch, who scored eight points in the period. Kendal Damon hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining, and a Perkins free throw left St. Edward's trailing 31–29 at halftime.
The Hilltoppers stayed within reach through the third quarter despite struggles from the field. Seven free throws helped offset the cold shooting, and St. Edward's entered the fourth down 48-43.
Addison Miranda then created separation for the Hardrockers, knocking down three 3-pointers in a little more than two minutes. Her third stretched South Dakota Mines' lead to 59-47 with 5:16 remaining.
Perkins answered immediately, finishing a drive before adding a pull-up jumper on the next possession. Briskey scored inside off a RAMSEY ROBLEDO assist, and Perkins capped the 8–0 run with another jumper, this time off a McKenzie pass, to bring St. Edward's within 59–55 with 2:56 left.
Léa-line Romain interrupted the run with a driving layup. After McKenzie split two free throws, Romain found Koch inside to push the Hardrockers' advantage back to seven.
Perkins continued to press, coming up with a steal and taking it the other way for a layup with 39 seconds remaining. Robledo followed with another steal, giving St. Edward's a chance to cut further into the 63–58 deficit, but Perkins' 3-point attempt missed. Leah Brauch made two free throws with 25 seconds left to help secure the win.
St. Edward's forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 18 points, finishing with a 17–6 advantage in fast-break scoring. The Hilltoppers also made 21 of 29 free throws, with SUNI DAVIS and IZZY MAJARUCON each going 4-for-4.
Davis finished with seven points, Majarucon added six, and Robledo contributed five points and six rebounds. IDUZAYE IGIEHON grabbed six rebounds and blocked four shots off the bench.
Miranda and Koch led South Dakota Mines with 16 points apiece. Miranda made four of her six 3-point attempts, including the three fourth-quarter baskets that helped withstand St. Edward's rally. Romain finished with 10 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists as the Hardrockers held a 44–37 rebounding advantage.
St. Edward's will travel to Salt Lake City to participate in the Westminster Basketball Invite, opening at host Westminster on Thursday, then Cal Poly Humboldt on Friday.
