AUSTIN, Texas — Two shots in the final nine seconds rimmed out for the St. Mary's University Women's Basketball team in the first edition of the Battle of the Saints, as the Rattlers fell to the Hilltoppers of St. Edward's 61-60 on Monday evening.
Senior
Aina Maynou (Cabrera de Mar, Spain) scored a career-high 20 points, so it was no surprise the Rattlers (12-8, 7-7) put the ball in her hands for the final possession. Her initial shot rattled off, but sophomore
Raynne Malik (London, Ontario) grabbed the ball before being tied up with a jump ball, and StMU retained the ball with 4.4 seconds left. Maynou took a turnaround jumper at the buzzer that fell off for the Hilltoppers (12-10, 6-8) win.
The game featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes and was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than eight points. StMU won both the second and fourth quarters, while SEU won the first and third quarters, creating an exciting atmosphere for fans of the rivalry.
Maynou's 20 points better her previous career-high of 15, recorded twice this season at both West Texas A&M (Jan. 10) and Black Hills State (Nov. 16). She hit a career-high five three-pointers, dished out two assists and collected a steal in 30 minutes.
Joining her in double-figure scoring were junior
Allie Garcia (Adelaide, South Australia) with 13 and sophomore
Christin Callens (Houston) with 10. Malik tied for game-high honors with six rebounds and she added two more blocked shots, bringing her season total to 46.
Suni Davis did the majority of damage for the Hilltoppers, scoring 26 points with four three-pointers and making 8-of-11 from the free throw line. Kendall Beck knotted Malik in the rebound column with six, as StMU edged out SEU 37-to-36. The Hilltoppers also out-blocked the Rattlers, 9-2 in the game.
The game commenced with Kendall Beck scoring the first points for the Hilltoppers with a jumper at 9:05, taking an early lead. StMU responded with a layup from Malik at 7:41, assisted by Maynou, leveling the score at 2-2. SEU gained momentum later in the quarter, extending its lead to 13-8. Despite Callens' late free throws for the Rattlers, the Hilltoppers concluded the first quarter ahead, 16-10.
StMU capitalized on a strong perimeter game in the second quarter, with Maynou sinking three 3-pointers, helping the visitors to a 19-point quarter. After trailing early, the Rattlers surged ahead with consecutive 3-pointers by Maynou at 8:25 and 6:45, turning an 18-16 deficit into a 22-18 lead. The Hilltoppers responded with a layup and a tip-in from Ramsey Robledo, tying the game at 22. A late 3-pointer from Davis gave SEU a 31-29 lead at halftime.
St. Edward's edged ahead in the third quarter with a narrow 15-13 scoring advantage over StMU. The quarter featured a balanced scoring effort from both teams, with each side hitting five baskets.
In a closely contested fourth quarter, the Rattlers edged the Hilltoppers, 18-15. Garcia was pivotal, contributing crucial points with a layup and subsequent free throw at 2:15 to give the Rattlers a brief lead, 58-56. Callens then secured a jumper with 1:35 remaining, pushing StMU ahead, 60-59. However, Mikah Chapman responded for SEU with a layup at 52 seconds.
The game ends a three-game in five-day stretch for both teams, though neither gets much rest as they host games on Thursday and Saturday. The Rattlers host UT Permian Basin on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for Faculty Appreciation Night and welcome Angelo State to Bill Greehey Arena on Saturday for Senior Day.
