SAN ANGELO, Texas – St. Edward's University Men's Basketball opened the Angelo State Ed Messbarger Tip-Off Classic with a 70-57 win over McMurry University on Friday night. The victory moves the Hilltoppers to 4-0 on the season as McMurry drops to 0-2.
 
Junior guard RAMIR BURTON led the Topper charge with a team-high 19 points on the night. TREY LINDSEY and AUBRIE KING added 12 and 11, respectively to round out St. Edward's double-digit scorers. QUINTON LILLEY led on the glass with seven rebounds and JOHN GRAMLICH dished out six assists.
 
"People will look at our record and think that we are a good basketball team because we are 4-0," said head coach Andre Cook. "I hate to be a broken record, but we are not playing very well. We are not playing with much energy or enthusiasm. That will need to change quickly or Angelo State will run us out of the gym."
 
The Hilltoppers opened the game with a 9-0 run that started with a layup from Burton and closed with a pair of free throws from Gramlich. McMurry clawed its way back into the game and pulled within three at 21-18. However, a timely bucket from Lilley pushed the Topper lead back to five. St. Edward's continued to hold the War Hawks at a distance and the half would close with the Hilltoppers leading 33-28.
 
In the second period Coach Cook's squad turned up the heat with an 8-2 run to open the half. King capped the surge with a three-point bucket to make it 41-30. Another nine-point run, led by King with seven, put the Toppers on cruise control. Baskets from ALEX DOCHE and JAMES TAYLOR off the bench would close the game with St. Edward's still perfect on the year.
 
The Hilltoppers continue the Ed Messbarger Tip-Off Classic on Saturday against the hosting Rams at 7 p.m. Live stats and video can be found at www.GoHilltoppers.com and the team is also on Twitter at @SEUMBasketball.