ARTICLE

HERNANDEZ’ RECORD NIGHT LEADS WBB PAST UTPB, 81-49

Hernandez shoots 100 percent from the floor to lead Hilltoppers

Box Score

THE RUNDOWN
AUSTIN, Texas – Isabel Hernandez became the seventh Hilltopper in program history to shoot 100 percent (min. 5 FGM) from the floor Monday as the St. Edward's University women's basketball team rolled to an 81-49 victory over UT Permian Basin inside the Recreation and Convocation Center.

The Hilltoppers (3-2) fell behind early as the Falcons (0-5) took a 5-2 lead to open the game. Abby Hopper and Lexi Cunningham countered for SEU with a 7-0 run to take a 9-5 lead. UTPB battled back and tied the game as the first quarter came to a close.

With the game tied 18-18 at the start of the second quarter, the Hilltoppers proceeded to outscore the Falcons 20-0 and take a 38-18 lead into halftime. Hernandez led the second-quarter charge with nine points while Saundra Guillory recorded three blocks.

Brooke Panfili carried the scoring baton into the second half as she scored eight points in 11 minutes. St. Edward's shot 60 percent from the field and used 42 second-half points to clinch the victory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• St. Edward's last scored 80 points Feb. 25, 2017 in overtime at Lubbock Christian.
• The Hilltoppers' 12 3-point field goals made tie for third-most in program history in a single game.
• Hernandez went 7-for-7 from the floor including a 4-of-4 output from 3-point range to finish with a career-high 18 points.
• Hernandez has scored in double digits and led SEU in scoring in three-straight games.
• The last Hilltopper to shoot 100 percent (min. 5 FGM) was Khiani Clark (6-6) Nov. 29, 2015 at Southern Connecticut State.
• Panfili increased her career-high for a third-straight game with 16 points.
• Guillory's 10 points mark her second double-digit output of the season and third of her career.
• Guillory recorded a career-high four blocks against the Falcons, matching Hopper's performance from the teams' last meeting on Feb. 4, 2016.
• Falyn Taylor and Severija Narkute made their Hilltopper debuts Monday evening.
• Taylor finished with five points, going 2-for-4 from the charity stripe and 1-of-1 from 3-point range.
• Haley Joly and Fairen Sutton led all players with five assists each – both career bests.
• All 14 players on SEU's roster played in Monday's game against UTPB.
• St. Edward's is 10-10 overall and has won three-straight in the all-time series with UT Permian Basin.
• The Hilltoppers are off to their best start through five games since the 2014-15 season.
• Head Coach J.J. Riehl's career record is 82-63 in six seasons at St. Edward's.

STAT OF THE GAME I
.549 – St. Edward's shot 54.9 percent from the floor – its best shoot performance since shooting 55.2 percent against Huston-Tillotson Nov. 26, 2013

STAT OF THE GAME II
55 – The Hilltoppers' bench finished the game with 55 points as UTPB's bench scored just 15 points.

TOP QUOTE
Head Coach J.J. Riehl on the win…
"I think it's just the process and the things we talk about every day are starting to come together. The kids are starting to trust themselves and trust in each other. They're getting more and more confident in what they're doing and what we're asking them to do. I think fans just saw a culmination of all that coming together tonight."

Freshman point guard Brooke Panfili on the win…
"I think we all did really well. We all came together, passed the ball and learned how to play together tonight. We got the win. Everyone on the bench came out ready to play and we all produced and got it together."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Hilltoppers travel to Grand Junction, Colo., Friday to face Colorado Mesa in the Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Brownson Arena. Live stats and video will be available at GoHilltoppers.com.

Follow St. Edward's Women's Basketball all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @SEUWBasketball