AUSTIN, Texas — SUNI DAVIS hit one big shot after another, and the St. Edward's defense tightened around the St. Mary's Rattlers until a final defensive stand sealed the 61-60 victory for the Hilltoppers in the Battle of the Saints. 
 
The Hilltopper defense was active early, relying on the mobility of its frontcourt and the length of its wings to limit the Rattlers to 3-for-17 shooting in the first quarter. KENDALL BECK, MIKAH CHAPMAN, RAMSEY ROBLEDO, and JASMYN JACKSON each recorded a block in the first, as the Rattlers slithered for openings that the Hilltoppers quickly closed. 
 
Davis set the tone for the rivalry game, putting St. Mary's back on its heels not through execution, but by sheer force of will, scoring seven points in the first quarter, going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line, sparking an 11-0 run to lead the Hilltoppers to a 16-10 lead. 
 
St. Mary's adjusted its attack in the second, attacking from one side to force a rotation, then finding Aina Maynou in the weakside corner for a trio of 3-pointers as part of a 12-0 run to give the Rattlers a 22-18 lead with 6:45 remaining in the half. 
 
The Hilltoppers turned to reserve guards KIARA COUNCIL and JASMINE FARMER next to starter RAMSEY ROBLEDO on the perimeter. Robledo tied the game with four unanswered points, hitting a layup off a feed from Farmer, then a tip-in off a Council 3-pointer after the latter forced a turnover. 
 
Jackson added a tip-in and an emphatic block of bruising forward Christin Callens, who tried to establish herself inside with forearm shivers and shoulder bumps, only to be dismissed by Jackson. 
 
Davis reentered the game in the final four minutes of the half and earned a pair of free throws and buried a late 3-pointer off a feed from Chapman to take the 31-29 lead at the break. 
 
St. Mary's extended its defense in the third quarter, forcing five turnovers, including three steals, earning four points off turnovers on a night that margins meant everything. The Hilltopper defense never let up, however, forcing St. Mary's into 5-for-15 shooting while Davis took over in key moments, calling her number for a pair of stepback 3-pointers, driving through defenders for a layup, and sinking two free throws for 10 points in 10 minutes in the quarter.
 
St. Edward's turned to its bench to get Davis some critical rest, extending the lead to eight with a critical 3-pointer from Council, a big pass from Farmer to Beck for a layup, and a short baseline jumper by Robledo off a feed from Beck. 
 
The Rattlers responded with back-to-back 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to tie the game. After struggling to score for much of the game, both teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Davis draining a stepback 3-pointer with two minutes remaining, a pair of free throws, and a go-ahead dime to Chapman for a fastbreak layup. 
 
St. Mary's got two opportunities in the closing seconds, going to Maynou for post opportunities that never materialized, sending St. Edward's storming the court as time expired. 
 
Davis led the way with 26 points on 7-for-11 shooting with two assists. Beck, Kiana Bennet, and Robledo scored six each, with Beck blocking three shots and Bennett dishing out three assists. The Hilltoppers blocked nine shots and held the Rattlers to 32.3 percent shooting, improving to 12-10 and 6-8 in conference play. 
 
St. Edward's will have a quick turnaround, facing Angelo State on Thursday, followed by Senior Day against Texas Permian Basin on Saturday.