AUSTIN, TX- The Cougars began Thanksgiving week play with a visit to St. Edwards in Texas on Monday. Despite leading late, a Hilltoppers rally downed CCU in a nailbiter as they fell 63-60. 

Hayley Luther and Josie Grosdidier got their team out to a 4-0 lead early, and a Samantha Wattawa three-pointer later made it 17-15. A late SEU jumper would send the teams to the second quarter level at 17-17. 

Nicole Burns got a tipin to fall early in the second, while a three-point play from Josie made it 26-21. Once again the Hilltoppers fought back, but a late jumper from Ezra Simonich sent her team to the halftime break narrowly leading 34-32. 

The defenses rose up to begin the third, with Jordon Heckert getting a layup to go three minutes into the period. Ja'Shelle Johnson later converted a layup, and Simonich put CCU ahead 40-34 with a layup. A pair of late Wattawa free throws had the Cougars ahead 46-40 heading to the final quarter. 

It was all CCU to start the fourth as Simonich hit a pair of free throws and a jumper to put her team up 50-40 to force a St. Edwards timeout. Josie then drilled a three-pointer and Elise Grosdidier got in on the action with a jumper to give the Cougars their biggest lead of the game at 55-42. The Hilltoppers would again rally, going on a 17-0 run to pull ahead 59-55, but a Heckert three and layup from Elise put the Cougars back on top 60-59 with 59 seconds to play. Unfortunately, SEU hit their free throws late and the Cougars could not come up with the tying or winning basket in the closing seconds as they fell 63-60. 

Three Cougars scored in double digits with Simonich, Johnson and Josie all pouring in 10 points. Elise had eight points and a team high six rebounds, while Amaya Felix had six points and six boards. 

The Cougars will close Thanksgiving week play on November 25 at 2:30 p.m. MST as they take on Texas A&M International in Austin.