SAN ANGELO, Texas – After Frankie MgBolu picked up a loose ball and found TREY LINDSEY open behind the three-point line, Lindsey's potential game-winner clanked off iron as St. Edward's fell to Angelo State, 79-78, Saturday evening at the Junnell Center. Both teams entered the game with identical 4-0 records.
 
JOHN GRAMLICH scored 12 of his 19 points and QUINTON LILLEY scored all of his 13 points in the second half as the Hilltoppers erased a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes to have a shot at the victory in the final possession. RAMIR BURTON tallied 17 points and a team-high six assists, while Mgbolu added 16 points.
 
In the first five minutes of action, the lead would change hands seven times as Angelo State (5-0) held a slim 13-12 lead with 15:38 left in the opening half. Burton had five points and Mgbolu added four in the early going.
 
The Rams then proceeded to score 10 of the next 11 points to open up a sizable advantage, 23-13, at the 11:12 mark. They wouldn't look back in the first half as they closed the opening frame ahead, 46-33.
 
In the second half, St. Edward's (4-1) opened with a 13-6 run in the first four minutes. Burton scored the first four points of the half for the Hilltoppers. St. Edward's clamped down on defense, forcing four turnovers from Angelo State.
 
Quay King had the hot hand for the Rams as he scored seven points as the home team built its lead back up to 15 points, with 4:51 remaining in the game.
 
Six points each by Lilley and Mgbolu pulled the Hilltoppers back within five points with just over two minutes to play. A jumper by Mgbolu with 1:19 to play, and two free throws with 42 seconds left cut the lead to, 79-78. After a missed jumped by the Rams, that set the stage for Lindsey's last try.


"I was proud of our guys. They haven't played basketball lately, but I knew they would bring it tonight," St. Edward's Head Coach Andre Cook said. "They battled back from several double-digit deficits all night. The only thing I'm sad about is that Angelo had one more point than us."
 
St. Edward's will be back in action when they travel to take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Monday evening in exhibition play. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the America Bank Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Islander Athletic Website.