Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – JOHN GRAMLICH scored 14 points leading the Hilltoppers to a 61-57 win over the Eagles of Oklahoma Christian Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The Hilltoppers improve to 8-11 overall and 4-7 in conference play.
St. Edward's didn't waste anytime as they jumped on the Eagles early, leading 12-2 at the 15:19 mark of the first half. Gramlich scored nine of his 14 points during the run, connecting on three buckets from downtown.
ETHAN GILBERT drained the other trey during the run.
The Eagles went on a 6-0 run, but
MATT MINER and
JOHN RUTHERFORD both made easy layups pushing the lead back to eight points, 16-8 at the halfway mark of the half. The Hilltoppers continued to pile on the points with five more courtesy of Rutherford and
TYLER FOSTER.
Oklahoma Christian answered with an 8-5 run and were down 23-16 with 2:42 left. Newcomer
ZACH GHORMLEY and Gramlich both made shots from beyond the arc to spark an 8-2 run, giving St. Edward's a 31-18 halftime lead.
The Hilltoppers opened the second half strong and extended their lead to 18 points, 40-22 just three minutes in. The 18-point lead quickly dropped to 10 points with 15 minutes left to play.
Both squads traded baskets for a three minute stretch until the Eagles went on another run cutting the Hilltopper lead to just five points, 46-41. St. Edward's struggled offensively and that allowed the Eagles to take their first lead of the game with 6:41 remaining.
The Hilltoppers answered the bell and went on a, 8-2 run to take a seven-point lead with 43 seconds remaining. Again, the Eagles cut the lead to two points with 17 seconds, but two late free throws by
HARLEY NUSSMAN sealed the game and the victory for St. Edward's, 61-57.
The victory ends a seven-game losing streak, and puts the Hilltoppers back in contention for a playoff spot. Both UT-Permian Basin and Dallas Baptist lost on Saturday, leaving St. Edward's just two games back of the fourth and final playoff slot with seven games remaining.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to Wichita, Kan. to take on Newman. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Fugate Gymnasium on the Newman campus. Live video and stats will be available through the Jet Athletic Website.
