For the first time in school history, the St. Edward’s women’s basketball team has closed its regular season with a the Heartland Conference (HC) regular season title, and has compiled a 17-8 overall record with a 13-3 HC record.

Now the women’s program is advancing to the HC Championship Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the No. 1 seed. St. Mary’s University and Lubbock Christian University will take the second and third seeds after finishing the regular season with 12-4 conference records.

Seniors Shakera Barnes, Khiani Clark, and Lexi Fatheree have all had multiple double-digit games this season with reserve players holding their own as well.

Under the direction of Head Coach J.J. Riehl, the team has focused on improving every single day. They managed a nine-game win streak, followed by a five-game win streak.

Last season, the Hilltoppers reached the conference championship and finished as the Heartland Conference Runner-Up. This year, St. Edward’s needs three HC Tourney wins to secure the title, and will then likely receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The St. Edward’s men’s basketball team has managed to claim to the No. 6 seed heading into the Heartland Conference (HC) Championship Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The regular season featured six games where the team lost by five point or less, which led to a 17-14 overall record with a 9-9 conference record.

Head Coach Andre Cook had said that these close games would make the difference in how high they would be seeded at the HC Tournament.

St. Edward’s is slated to play No. 3 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The first time these teams played Jan. 14, the Hilltoppers won 90-85. The second time these teams played was Feb. 16. St. Edward’s lost 96-90.

Two years ago, St. Edward’s was in a similar position, where they had a low seed and were outsized. Yet, they defied the odds and finished their season at the HC Championship game.

Of that 2015 team, John Gramlich, Ramir Burton and Ethan Gilbert still remain and are now seniors hoping to earn a HC championship.