GOODWELL, Okla. – RAMIR BURTON's three-point play with four seconds left capped off a furious rally in the final minute for the St. Edward's Men's Basketball team and gave them a 74-73 victory at Williams Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon in Heartland Conference play.
 
Panhandle State (3-23, 1-17 HC) controlled most of the first half, taking a double-digit lead by the 11:54 mark. The lead would swell to as many as 17 points, with the Aggies taking a 42-27 lead at the break.
 
Panhandle State was outstanding in the first period, shooting at a 61 percent clip from the field. They also went 6-of-9 from downtown. Antonio Manns, Jr. led the way for the Aggies with 15 points.
 
In the second half, Panhandle State would hold the double-digit lead for most of the second half.
 
St. Edward's (19-7, 11-7 HC) was trailing by nine points with 59 seconds left when they went to work. Burton was clutch, as he hit a layup and tallied a three-point play. JOHN GRAMLICH's trey with 41 seconds left cut the Aggie lead to just one. After TREY LINDSEY stole the ball, he converted a layup to give the Hilltoppers their first lead of the game. Manns put Panhandle State back in front with a three-point play with 15 seconds left in the game, 73-71.
 
With time winding down, Burton drove baseline and was fouled as he made the layup with four seconds to go. He calmly knocked down the free throw to complete the three-point play and give St. Edward's a 74-73 lead. Manns attempted a three-pointer at the buzzer but his shot was too strong off the back iron.
 
Burton led the Hilltoppers with 23 points while Gramlich added 14 points and Lindsey chipped in with 11 points.
 
The Hilltoppers will return home for their final two games of the regular season. They will open against Oklahoma Christian on Thursday with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
 
                                             Heartland           Overall
Team (Preseason)                 W-L                   W-L
St. Mary's (2)                           12-5                   15-9
St. Edward's (9)                      11-7                   19-7
UT-Permian Basin (4)            11-7                 16-10
UA Fort Smith (1)                   11-7                 15-11
Newman (8)                            10-8                 14-10
Dallas Baptist (7)                     8-9                   14-11
TAMU-International (3)         6-12                 11-15
Panhandle State (11)             1-16                   3-22
Rogers State* (5)                    12-6                   18-8
Lubbock Christian* (6)          12-6                 15-10
Oklahoma Christian* (10)     4-14                   6-18
 
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
February 21
TAMIU 66, DBU 60
LCU 81, UTPB 75 (OT)
OC 87, UAFS 85
SEU 74, OPSU 73
NU 81, RSU 72
 
February 23
STMU at DBU                               7:00 PM
 
February 26
DBU at UAFS                                7:00 PM
OPSU at TAMIU                           7:30 PM
NU at UTPB                                  7:30 PM
OC at SEU                                     7:30 PM
LCU at SEU                                   7:30 PM
 
February 28
NU at SEU                                    3:00 PM
OPSU at STMU                             3:00 PM
LCU at TAMIU                              3:00 PM
UAFS at RSU                                 3:00 PM
OC at UTPB                                  3:00 PM
 
March 2
DBU at RSU                                  6:00 PM