Austin – Kristin Williams scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the way as St. Mary’s University pulled away late for a 54-46 victory over St. Edward’s University in Heartland Conference women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center.

After the teams battled to a 28-28 tie at the half, the Hilltoppers came out and took the early lead in the second half. St. Edward’s outscored the Rattlers 6-2 over the first five minutes of the second period. However, Deanna Patterson (So., San Antonio) nailed a three-pointer to pull the Rattlers within one at 34-33 and Williams (Jr., Kansas City) made two free throws to give the Rattlers the lead 35-34 with 13:55 left to play. Sara Head responded with a layup to give the Hilltoppers their last lead of the game at 36-35. St. Mary’s then went on a 6-0 run that gave them a five-point lead that they would not relinquish. The Rattlers pulled away down the stretch, extending their lead to as much as eight points.

Williams led St. Mary’s with 15 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Mallory Moeller (Jr., Seguin) came off the bench to pick up 11 points. As a team, the Rattlers shot 45.8 percent (22-48) from the field and outrebounded the Hilltoppers 35-30. St. Edward’s shot 31.8 percent (14-44), including just 27.8 (5-18) in the second half.

St. Mary’s has now won five straight games, and improved to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in Heartland Conference play. St. Edward’s fell to 3-13, 1-3. The Rattlers will return to action on Saturday, January 16, when they face Heartland Conference leader the University of the Incarnate Word at 2 p.m. at UIW.

St. Mary’s 54, St. Edward’s 46

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