Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – JOHN RUTHERFORD and JAMES STUKES combined for 24 of their 39 combined points in the second half to lead St. Edward's to a season-opening victory over Southwestern, 95-63. The victory was the third-straight under head coach Andre Cook in season-openers.
 
After Southwestern (0-1) made two free throws for a technical foul assessed to St. Edward's before the game, the Hilltoppers went on a 13-5 run to take a 13-7 lead at the 14:54 mark. HARLEY NUSSMAN had the hot hand as he scored seven points for St. Edward's (1-0) in the opening stanza, which included a three-point play.
 
Jake Schifani came off of the bench to score five points as the Pirates rattled off seven-straight points to take a 14-13 lead with 13:25 remaining.
 
With the Hilltoppers clinging to a narrow 28-26 lead with just over five minutes left in the first half, Stukes took over. After missing his first two free throws of the game, Stukes rebounded to make 5-of-6 charity shots. He would close out the 9-1 run with a steal and breakaway dunk to give the home team a 37-27 advantage. St. Edward's would head into the break with a 41-29 advantage.
 
CHRIS WACKER was a key factor for St. Edward's in the first half, tallying four points and six rebounds off of the bench. Five of those rebounds were on the offensive end, as St. Edward's collected 12 offensive rebounds as a team.
 
In the second half, JOHN GRAMLICH came out firing, hitting two treys and Nussman added two more buckets, which included a thunderous dunk in the first four minutes of action. The Hilltoppers extended their lead to 17 points, 53-36, with 15:32 remaining in the game.
 
Southwestern came roaring back, using a 13-3 run over the next four minutes to cut the St. Edward's lead to 56-49, with just over 11 minutes left on the clock. Sean Meyers was key for the Pirates as he scored seven points during the stretch.
 
The Hilltoppers would not be denied the victory in front of the large home crowd, as Stukes and Rutherford started to heat up. Rutherford was 5-for-5 from downtown over the next five minutes to spark the Hilltoppers on a 20-2 run that put the game out of reach for the visitors. Stukes was also clutch as he hit four layups during the decisive run.
 
Rutherford led all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-10 from behind the three-point line. Stukes narrowly missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Nussman joined Stukes in double-figure scoring with 13 points and eight rebounds. He also had a career-high six blocks on the evening. Gramlich, who was playing in his first collegiate game, was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for 12 points. FRANKIE MGBOLU led the Hilltoppers with five assists.
 
The Hilltoppers outrebounded the Pirates, 47-33, and shot 48.1 percent from downtown, making 13-of-27.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday evening when they welcome Austin College to the Recreation and Convocation Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.