AUSTIN, Texas  –  Texas A&M International University women's basketball (0-18, 0-6 Heartland Conference) dropped a 62-41 road decision to the St. Edward's University Hilltoppers (11-11, 3-5 Heartland Conference) on Saturday afternoon. The Dustdevils now move to 2-7 against the Hilltoppers dating back to the 2015-16 campaign.  

Marina Gatica broke the scoring ice in the first quarter as she drained a shot from downtown for the Dustdevils to give TAMIU an early one point edge (3-2) over St. Edward's with 8:05 showing on the first quarter clock. St. Edward's would then create a 7-2 run in with 16 seconds remaining in the opening stanza to give the Hilltoppers a 13-9 advantage after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, both teams brought defensive intensity, as TAMIU only gave up only six points while TAMIU scored four to send a 19-13 game in favor of St. Edward's into the break.

In the third quarter, the Dustdevils put together a 6-0 run off of two three-pointers made by Vanessa Oyola and Tacoya Allen in a span of 32 seconds to cut the deficit to four with 4:16 left. TAMIU would later compile a 5-0 spurt in 22 seconds as Kendall Alsup knocked down a three-pointer and Ciera Walker converted on a fastbreak layup with 2:14 remaining in the third period.

The Hilltoppers then stepped on the gas as they went on a 6-2 run in 32 seconds (1:55-1:23) and concluded the third quarter with an eight point lead (39-31).

St. Edward's would go on to score 23 fourth quarter points including a jump shot made by Phydel Nwanze with 20 seconds remaining to expand their lead to a game-high 21 points (62-41) and secure the win for the Hilltoppers.

Ciera Walker led the way for the Dustdevils as she finished with team highs of eight points and eight boards while swatting away two shots.

The Hilltoppers had four players score double-digit points including Sammie Dufek (4-of-7 FG) who had a double-double of a dozen points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks to her statline.

In the end, Texas A&M International shot 30.9 percent (17-of-55) from the field, 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from three-point range and 50 percent (2-of-4) from the free-throw line while the Hilltoppers shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from the floor, 14.3 percent (3-of-21) from beyond the arc and 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the charity stripe. St. Edward's held the advantage in rebounds (41-35), assists (8-3) while the Dustdevils led the way in steals (5-4) and blocks (5-3). TAMIU also scored nine second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds.

The Dustdevils continue their three-game Heartland Conference road trip in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, February 7 for a matchup against St. Mary's University (14-6, 4-4 Heartland Conference) at 5:30 p.m.