Box Score LAREDO, Texas — Shooting guard KIANA BENNETT returned from injury, and the Hilltopper starting backcourt returned to form, lighting up Texas A&M International for a combined 37 points in St. Edward's 72-68 road victory
 
The Hilltopper offense remained steady while the defense steadily wore down Texas A&M International, reducing its per quarter scoring each frame until a 20-13 fourth secured the victory. 
 
Point guard SUNI DAVIS blitzed the Dustdevils for eight points in the first quarter, connecting on a layup, a 3-pointer, and three free throws with aggressive play. Bennett balanced Davis's drives with a pair of 3-pointers, and JASMYN JACKSON added another 3-pointer off the bench. 
 
Jayden Smallwood countered as a walking paint touch and free-throw parade, scoring 10 of Texas A&M's 21 first quarter points with three layups and four free throws for the 21-16 lead.
 
St. Edward's cleaned up its fouling in the second quarter and received a critical spark from JASMINE FARMER off the bench, getting a one-woman 7-0 run from its reserve guard. KENDALL BECK found Farmer for her first layup, then again for a 3-pointer, followed by another dime from Beck to Farmer to pull St. Edward's within one at 27-26. 
 
The Dustdevils rebuilt the lead to as high as seven, but Davis responded with two more free throws and a layup, Robledo hit a big 3-pointer, and the Hilltoppers cut the deficit to three at the half led by Davis's 12 points before the break. 
 
St. Edward's attacked the paint relentlessly in the third quarter, outscoring the Dustdevils 12-10 in the paint and 5-2 in points off turnovers in a 16-16 deadlocked 10 minutes. 
 
The Hilltoppers responded with their most important stretch of the game, opening the fourth on a 10-0 run. Davis found Beck for a quick layup on the opening possession, then followed with her own pull-up jumper for the 56-55 lead. 
 
St. Edward's defense continued to dig in, holding Texas A&M International scoreless for the first five minutes and change, while Farmer tipped in one layup, RILEY MOORE found Davis for another, and Moore scored her own putback for the 62-55 lead. 
 
Both teams exchanged buckets midway through, but Bennett delivered in the clutch, finding Chapman for a short jumper, cutting for a layup, and icing the game with four free throws down the stretch. 
 
Davis led St. Edward's with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Bennett added 18 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Farmer was vital off the bench, converting all four of her shots for nine points in 11 minutes. 
 
The Hilltoppers now return home with renewed momentum, preparing to host St. Mary's in Monday's Battle of the Saints