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AUSTIN, Texas – JAMES STUKES scored a career-high 24 points but St. Edward's fell to UT-Permian Basin in overtime, 77-73, Thursday evening at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
UT-Permian Basin (7-8, 3-4 HC) raced out to a quick 7-1 lead in the first three minutes of play, led by a Rob Heyer three-pointer.
 
St. Edward's (12-10, 1-5 HC) responded with a 19-5 run over the next 10 minutes of action. Stukes had five points during the run and HARLEY NUSSMAN came off of the bench to tally two buckets. That spurt gave the Hilltoppers a 20-12 lead with 6:06 remaining in the opening half.
 
After a jumper by Anthony Dees cut the Hilltopper lead to six points, 22-16, with 4:27 left in the half, St. Edward's answered by ending the half on a 7-2 run led by four points from SHIMEEK JOHNSON. The Hilltoppers led 29-18 at intermission.
 
In the second half, St. Edward's would keep its lead around double digits for the first 16 minutes. Ahead, 54-44, with 4:34 remaining in regulation, St. Edward's would go without a field goal for the next three minutes. The Falcons would capitalize on this and embarked on a 13-1 run led by Heyer with five points and four from Dees. That gave UT-Permian Basin a 57-55 lead with 1:53 remaining.
 
That set off a two-man battle for the next minute between Stukes and UTPB's Madison Turner. Stukes canned a jumper with 1:38 left to knot the score, 57-57. After Turner and Stukes would both hit jumpers in the next 30 seconds, Turner hit a big three pointer with 35 seconds on the clock to put the Falcons ahead, 62-59. Stukes cut the lead to one with a layup and Turner was sent to the line where he split a pair of free throws to give St. Edward's a chance. Johnson nailed a layup with 13 seconds to go to tie the game. After Turner missed a three pointer with four seconds to go, Stukes had one last look at a three pointer and the junior's shot rimmed in and out and we were headed to overtime.
 
In the extra period, UT-Permian Basin started the scoring off with three free throws in the first minute plus. St. Edward's would get within a point twice, but the Falcons shot 10-of-12 in overtime from the charity stripe to ice the game.
 
Stukes was 10-for-18 from the floor for his 24 points, while also dishing out two assists and coming up with a steal.  CHRIS WACKER added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds.
 
Turner led four Falcons in double figures with 19 points. Heyer added 17 points and Dees registered 15 points and four rebounds. Xavier Martin tallied 10 points and two assists.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they host Heartland Conference rival Panhandle State. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live Video and Stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.