KINGSVILLE, Texas — St. Edward's built an early lead and carried momentum deep into the second half, but Texas A&M-Kingsville used a late surge behind hot perimeter shooting to hand the Hilltoppers a 58–53 setback Thursday evening at the Steinke Center.

The Hilltoppers (10-10, 4-8 LSC) showed early resolve after absorbing the game's first punch. Kingsville opened on a 9-0 run, forcing St. Edward's to settle in under pressure. St. Edward's answered with defensive intensity and poised execution, chipping away possession by possession.

SUNI DAVIS ignited the response, attacking off the dribble and knocking down timely shots to steady the offense. RAMSEY ROBLEDO followed with a deep three that cut into the deficit, and the Hilltoppers' defensive pressure began to flip the momentum.

Then came the quarter's closing statement.

JASMYN JACKSON buried back-to-back jumpers in the final seconds, including a buzzer-beating finish that capped a frenzied turnaround and gave St. Edward's a 16-13 lead after one — a nine-point swing in less than six minutes.

The Hilltoppers carried that edge into the second quarter and delivered their most complete stretch of the night.
Robledo opened the frame with another 3-pointer, and St. Edward's defensive activity began to dictate the game. Forced turnovers turned into transition opportunities. Davis sprinted the floor for a fast-break finish. JAE'LA HICKS followed with a transition score of her own. Every possession built confidence, and every defensive stop reinforced control. 

When Davis converted another fast-break layup with 1:24 remaining in the half, the Hilltoppers held their largest lead of the night at 29-21. 

St. Edward's entered halftime ahead 31-25, having absorbed Kingsville's early surge and responded with composure, toughness, and execution. Davis led St. Edward's with nine points on 4-for-7 shooting, and backup point guard KIARA COUNCIL sparked the Hilltoppers with three assists, and St. Edward's outscored the Javelinas 15-2 in points off turnovers. 

But momentum in conference play can shift quickly, and Kingsville found its spark in the third quarter. 

The Javelinas tightened their defense and found their rhythm from the perimeter, capitalizing on turnovers for 10 of their 16 points in the quarter. St. Edward's eight-point lead slowly dissolved, and the Javlinas reclaimed the edge on back-to-back layups from Kaylee Howell, taking a 41-40 lead into the final period. 

Still, the Hilltoppers refused to fade.

Davis and Robledo attacked relentlessly, earning a combined seven free throws and connecting on all of them to keep St. Edward's within striking distance. With a minute remaining, the Hilltoppers trimmed the deficit to two points on a Robledo steal and a pair of free throws, but the Javelinas iced the game from the free-throw line. 

Davis led the Hilltoppers with 17 points. Robledo added 12 points and five rebounds, while Jackson provided eight points and key momentum-shifting baskets in the opening half.

St. Edward's shot 41.2 percent from the field and forced 16 turnovers, converting defensive pressure into 19 points. The Hilltoppers also held advantages in fast-break scoring and bench production, underscoring the defensive intensity and depth that defined their strongest stretches.

Texas A&M-Kingsville was led by Kaycee Groves' 25 points, including five three-pointers that proved decisive in the second-half comeback.

For St. Edward's, the margin was razor thin — a game defined by momentum swings, defensive runs, and the unforgiving nature of conference play. The Hilltoppers will look to regroup and build on their defensive intensity as they continue Lone Star Conference play in Laredo on Saturday.