St. Edward’s handles UT-Permian Basin, 71-54
AUSTIN, Texas - Juniors Sophia Holguin and Sara Head combined for 32 points to lead St. Edward's past UT-Permian Basin, 71-54, Thursday evening at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
UT-Permian Basin (5-16, 3-6 HC) opened the game with a 5-0 run n the first minute. Lauren Unger nailed a shot from behind the arc and Tammy Acosta hit a layup for the Falcons.
St. Edward's (11-12, 5-5 HC) answered with a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to gain the lead, 17-9, with 12:21 remaining in the first half. Senior Jasmine Parr and Holguin both had four points during the stretch. The Hilltopper defense held UT-Permian Basin to only one field goal during the span.
The Falcons turned things around over the next seven minutes, going on a 13-3 run to retake the lead, 22-20, with 5:12 remaining in the opening half. Acosta had six points during the spurt.
The Hilltopers took their best shot and came back again, using a 6-1 run to end the half. Holguin scored all six points for St. Edward's and pushed them to a 28-23 lead at the break. Holguin led all scorers with 10 points in the first half.
In the second half, the Hilltoppers came out of the gate with a 9-4 run, pushing their lead out to 39-27. Junior Kelli Payton notched five points during the stretch.
At the midway point in the second half, freshman Brittany Ward scored on a layup and put St. Edward's up by twenty points. The Hilltoppers put on cruise control from here on out, earning the easy victory, 71-54.
Holguin led the Hilltoppers with 20 points and seven rebounds. Head added another 12 points and six boards. Parr chipped in with another nine points, while Ward dished out nine assists.
Callie Norris led all scorers, scoring 21 points for the Falcons. She also grabbed 11 rebounds. Acosta added another 18 points.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Saturday as they host Heartland Conference foe Panhandle State. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.