AUSTIN, Texas – The Heartland Conference's top teams took to the hardwood on Thursday night, with second place St. Edward's outlasting the visiting and league-leading Texas A&M International. A monster 50-point second half gave the Hilltoppers (16-6, 11-5 Heartland) an 81-74 victory over the Dustdevils (18-6, 14-4 Heartland), although the standings went unchanged.

The Dustdevils remain one game up on St. Edward's in the loss column. TAMIU now faces two final road games – at McMurry on Feb. 22 and St. Mary's on March 1 – while SEU must close its regular season against St. Mary's, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Lubbock Christian and a make-up game against Oklahoma Christian.

Against the Hilltoppers, TAMIU was led by sophomore Jessica Prieto and seniors Malika Jackson and Samantha Chacon – who combined for all but 10 of the Dustdevils' points.

Chacon scored a game-high 26 points to accompany her seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. The El Paso, Texas, native shot 11-for-16 from the field, including 2-for-4 from long range. She also went 2-for-4 from the free throw line.

Prieto scored 20 points with four rebounds, a steal, an assist and a block. She played all but five minutes against SEU, but recorded only one personal foul.

Jackson nailed a double-double, grabbing 14 rebounds while scoring 18 points with an assist, a block and a steal in 39 minutes. She drilled half of the Dustdevils' converted free throws, going 6-for-7 at the line.

The Dustdevils saw Mason Hawk and Tina Dang score only four points apiece while Re'Nikia Meshack scored a pair with two assists.

The Dustdevils will next look to rebound at McMurry at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.