Box Score

AUSTIN - St. Edward's 17-2 run late in the second half spoiled Midwestern State's season opener as the Hilltoppers rolled to a 72-67 win Friday afternoon at the SEU Shootout at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
The Mustangs led throughout the contest re-establishing an 8-point bulge at 54-46 when Katiya Jackson nailed a 3-pointer with 8:52 to play. MSU led by as many as 10 points in the first half.

Sophomore Kasey Harlos hit a 3-pointer to start the run at the 6:36 mark before the Hilltoppers would draw even on freshman Kendra Field's trey in transition at to tie the game at 58-58 with 5:24 to play.

St. Edward's then took the first lead of the second half on a Tiss Rocquemore layup before the senior forward converted a three-point play to push the lead to 65-58 with 2:35 to play.

The Mustangs clawed back to within four points on a Savannah Carver 3-pointer with 1:10 to go, but that's as close as it would get.

The spurt ruined a solid debut from freshman guard Kirsti Degelia, who tallied a game-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and made five steals in 34 minutes of floor time.

The Mustangs constructed its largest lead of the contest when Carver converted a jumper with 2:00 to play in the first half to culminate an 8-3 run for a 41-31 lead.

MSU carried a lead throughout much of the game before the Hilltoppers mounted a late charge.

Carver and senior guard Katiya Jackson added 13 points each.

Harlos and Brittany Ward led SEU with 16 points each while Rocquemore tallied 13 points off of the bench.

Midwestern State concludes the St. Edward's Shootout Saturday against Hillsdale (Mich.). Tipoff is set for noon.

The Chargers defeated Abilene Christian 77-66 earlier Friday afternoon.