Post Game InterviewAUSTIN, Texas— The St. Edward's Men's Basketball Team defeated Rogers State, 64-61, in dramatic style Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The action-packed win brings the Hilltopper's record to a perfect 12-0, which ties the program's record for best start.
Rogers State (7-5, 1-3 HC) jumped ahead of St. Edward's (12-0, 4-0 HC) 6-0 as the first half opened up. Four points from senior Hilltopper
FRANKIE MGBOLU and a three-point play from
RAMIR BURTON closed the gap to 8-7. With 8:50 to go, the ball game was tied up at 16 points apiece. DesJuan Newton helped to extend the Hillcat lead to 26-22 hitting two shots from the line and tipping in a basket. A block from
HARLEY NUSSMAN of St. Edward's lead to a
JOHN GRAMLICH three-pointer for the Hilltoppers, which was followed by another bucket from beyond the arc from
ETHAN GILBERT to put the home team up 30-28 with 1:28 to go in the first frame. Rogers State would reclaim the lead on a 4-0 run and close the half, 32-30.
St. Edward's came out of the lockerroom hot.
HARLEY NUSSMAN opened the second half with a three-point play to regain the lead, 33-32. Burton gave the Hilltoppers their largest lead of the game, 42-38, as he went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. The two teams traded three-pointers on two occasions to deadlock the score 51-51, Johnathon Buckley hitting both for the Hillcats. Under five minutes remaining, the contest caught fire with each team going shot for shot. A good layup by Fredrico Santos and two free throws by Donald Moore gave the visitors a 61-57 advantage.
On the other end, with 18 seconds to go,
JOHN GRAMLICH nailed a huge three-pointer off an assist from
RAMIR BURTON bringing the score to 61-60. As the Hillcats inbounded the ball with 13 seconds to go, Fredrico Santos sent an errant pass to the open court and
FRANKIE MGBOLU chased it down past half-court. As he dove for the ball, DesJuan Newtown committed a foul against him, which the referees ruled as a flagrant. Mgbolu sunk both free-throws to give St. Edward's a 62-61 lead. The Hilltoppers would hang on to capture the victory with an end result of 64-61. Mgbolu made two more free-throws for the winning margin.
Mgbolu registered 11 points, four assists and three steals. Burton captured a game-high 12 points. Big-man
HARLEY NUSSMAN recorded five points, nine rebounds, four blocks and one steal.
ETHAN GILBERT had his second big game of the week with 10 points, three boards and two assists off the bench.
The Hilltoppers continue Heartland Conference play next Thursday as they take on UT-Permian Basin in the RCC. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Live coverage will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
