AUSTIN, Texas — HANNAH BRISKEY grabbed a defensive rebound with four seconds left in the first half. J.P. Perkins found JAE'LA HICKS in transition, and Hicks got to the rim before the horn. On the first possession after halftime, Briskey found Hicks for another layup, this time in the half court.
The two baskets offered a glimpse of St. Edward's new-look offense in its debut. The Hilltoppers moved the ball to create open looks from beyond the arc and at the rim, assisting on 19 of their 24 made baskets in a 72–51 victory over North American in Saturday's Homecoming exhibition. The threes fell at a 5-for-26 clip, but the same ball movement helped St. Edward's score 36 points in the paint.
Back on the floor after missing last season with an injury, Perkins set up RAMSEY ROBLEDO for a 3-pointer on the Hilltoppers' first possession and finished with a game-high six assists. SUNI DAVIS found Briskey inside to break an early 5–5 tie, and St. Edward's stayed in front the rest of the way. Davis added a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter, and the Hilltoppers led 19–14 after one.
North American stayed within six late in the second quarter before Briskey made two free throws and scored inside to start an 8–0 run across halftime. Hicks supplied the next two baskets, pushing a six-point lead to 14 in less than four minutes of game time. St. Edward's shot 7-for-14 in the third quarter and led 51–36 heading into the fourth.
When the first shot missed, the Hilltoppers gave themselves another chance. St. Edward's outrebounded North American 51–31 and converted 20 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points. IDUZAYE IGIEHON grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench, and all six of JASMINE MCKENZIE's boards came on the offensive end. McKenzie collected two on one fourth-quarter possession before drawing a foul and making both free throws.
The shots started to fall from outside in the fourth. Igiehon found Hicks for a 3-pointer, Perkins set up Hicks for another basket, and Robledo found Perkins in transition for a three that stretched the lead to 20. Perkins went back to distributing on the final basket, finding Igiehon inside to cap the scoring.
Briskey led St. Edward's with 16 points and eight rebounds and went 6-for-6 at the line. Hicks finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Davis added 10 points. IZZY MAJARUCON contributed four assists off the bench, and Robledo added three to go with six rebounds and two steals. Maurdaisha Powell led North American with 20 points and seven rebounds, and Kayla Dickey scored 13.
