Box Score GOODWELL, Okla. – St. Edward's freshman point guard RAMIR BURTON led all scorers and recorded a new career high with 35 points as the Hilltoppers edge the Panhandle State, 94-92 on Saturday afternoon at the Oscar Williams Field House. St. Edward's improves to 10-11 overall and (6-7 Heartland Conference) and still remain in contention for a conference tournament bid.
 
Burton got the offense going for the Hilltoppers with an early slam-dunk. He and JOHN GRAMLICH helped the Hilltoppers take their first lead of the game. St. Edward's led 16-13 with 14 minutes remaining.
 
The momentum had swung in the Hilltoppers favor after they took the lead. They stretched the lead to five points courtesy of Gramlich, Burton, and JAMES STUKES.  St. Edward's led 27-22 at the halfway mark of the first half.
 
The Hilltoppers continued playing with their five-point cushion through the next four minutes of the first half as both teams traded baskets, but the Aggies went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead 34-32 with five minutes left in the half.
 
Burton helped the Hilltoppers regain the lead, 35-34 when he connected on a three-point play, but the Aggies came right back and went on another 7-0 run and led 42-37 with two minutes remaining. The Hilltoppers clawed back and were only down 44-42 going into the break.
 
HARLEY NUSSMAN tied the game for the Hilltoppers with a layup 25 seconds into the half. The up and down pace led to three ties and two lead changes through the first minutes of play. JAMES STUKES made a layup that started a 7-0 run for St. Edward's. The Hilltoppers led 59-52 after the run.
 
ETHAN GILBERT, Burton, and JOHN RUTHERFORD all made key shots when the Aggies began to close the gap on the St. Edward's lead. Rutherford swished a three-point basket to help maintain the seven-point lead with eight minutes to play.
 
Gramlich also nailed a big three at the 5:42 mark. At that point the Aggies closed the gap to two points. Nussman and Rutherford combined for six straight points and extended the St. Edward's lead to eight with just over four minutes to play.
 
Panhandle State slowly chipped away the Hilltopper lead and on several occasions cut the lead to one possession, but Rutherford and Gramlich made some crucial foul shots down the stretch and the Hilltoppers sealed the victory, 94-92.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Saturday as they return home to take on McMurry. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center on the St. Edward's campus. Live video and stats will be available through the Hilltopper Athletic Website.