AUSTIN – The Angelo State women's basketball team, riding a three-game winning streak entering today, close their 2021 schedule with a close 71-67 loss to St. Edward's in their conference opener Friday afternoon.

The Belles held leads of 25-15 after the first quarter and 38-22 at halftime; however, a 49-point second half for the Hilltoppers, who shot 54.5 percent as a team after halftime, saw them complete the comeback and split the season series with the Belles.

The Belles, who held a lead as late as 40 seconds left in the game, led for the entire game otherwise, shooting 39.3 percent from the field for the game.

Madeline Stephens, who shot 6-9 from the floor, led the Belles' offensive effort, scoring a team-high 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds before fouling out in the game's final minute.

Payton Brown scored 13 points while Blakely Gerber scored eight points; Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant grabbed ten rebounds while scoring seven points and recording a team-high three steals.

The Belles are now 3-9 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The Belles' game on Sunday against St. Mary's has been postponed, so the Belles will be back in action on January 6^th against UT Permian Basin in Odessa in a non-conference matchup.