Box Score LAREDO, Texas – The St. Edward's men's basketball team dropped its second-straight Heartland Conference game Saturday afternoon, falling to conference-leader Texas A&M-International, 88-64.
 
TAMU-International (13-3, 6-0 HC) raced out to an 8-2 lead in the game's first two minutes of action. Damal Donaldson had five points during the run, which featured two three-point plays by the Dustdevils.
 
By the eight-minute mark the home team's lead had increased to seven points. A three-point play by St. Edward's RAMIR BURTON and a layup by MATT MINER cut the Dustdevil lead to two points, 22-20, with 7:06 remaining.
 
TAMU-International answered with a 15-6 run over the next six minutes to take its largest lead of the half at 11 points with 1:48 left in the half.
 
St. Edward's (7-6, 3-2 HC) rallied down the stretch with back-to-back treys. JOHN RUTHERFORD hit the first three with 1:28 left. After the Hilltoppers got a stop on the defensive end, JAMES STUKES hit a three with 41 seconds remaining. St. Edward's got another stop and went in to the break, down 37-32.
 
In the second half, TAMU-International scored the first seven points of the half. Johnel Grey tallied the last five, which included a three-pointer.
 
St. Edward's fought back, getting a bucket from HARLEY NUSSMAN and a three-point play from Stukes. That cut the lead to 44-37, with 17:06 remaining.
 
A 15-6 run over the next seven minutes put the game out of reach, as the Dustdevils expanded their lead to 16 points. From there, the Hilltoppers could get no closer.
 
"We were out toughed, outplayed and outcoached today," head coach Andre Cook said.  "TAMU-International is a terrific veteran team, and they are playing real well now. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself in this conference. We have a very important homestand coming up. We have to bounce back."
 
Stukes led the Hilltoppers with 19 points, while Nussman added 10 points and nine rebounds. FRANKIE MGBOLU tallied six points, six rebounds and three assists.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Thursday when they host Heartland Conference newcomer Lubbock Christian. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.