Box Score Shaquiri Graham had the most points for UTPB women's basketball this season, leading the Falcons with 31 in a 79-74 road victory Thursday to hand St. Edward's its first conference loss of the season in Austin, Texas.

Graham came up big for the Falcons (10-3, 4-1 Heartland) in the second half, scoring 18 of her 31 after halftime as UTPB trailed 41-35 through the first 20 minutes.

The Falcons fell behind by eight in the second half but a 10-4 run with a pair of 3-pointers coming from Giselle Loya and Briana Dominguez brought UTPB back within a pair of points at 51-49 with 14:14 remaining in the game.

UTPB once again clawed back after the Hilltoppers went back ahead by eight. Graham scored six straight points to cut down a seven point, 63-56 St. Edward's lead down to a one point game with just under nine minutes remaining. 

The Falcons took their first lead of the second half at 3:52 as Graham tied the contest at 68-68 with a pair at the line, and a basket by Myangel Johnson put UTPB in the lead 70-68.

Two more trips to the line after consecutive turnovers and four more free throws from Graham gave the Falcons a 76-70 lead with 1:23 left in the game.

St. Edward's cut the lead down to 76-74 with points on back-to-back possessions, but Valerie Barriga hit a free throw and after Graham got the rebound when she missed her second, Barriga wrapped up the game by sinking two more attempts at the line for the five point victory.

Graham ended the night 11-of-18 from the field and 9-of-10 at the free throw line with a team-high nine rebounds. Loya added 16 points with four 3-pointers on the night while Barriga added 11 points and Johnson contributed 10 points and six rebounds. 

Mileka Loydrake scored 27 points to lead all Hilltoppers.