Senior Day Video

AUSTIN, Texas- The St. Edward's Men's Basketball Team defeated Newman in overtime, 88-85, Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Convocation Center. The victory buys St. Edward's a ticket to the Heartland Conference Tournament beginning next week at St. Mary's in San Antonio.
 
St. Edward's (21-7, 13-7 HC) took an early lead over Newman (15-11, 11-9 HC), 17-8. JOHN GRAMLICH and TREY LINDSEY were to thank for the first frame advantage, as they had a combined total of 15 points out of the 17. At the 5:57 mark, JAE RICKETTS hit a three ball to give the Hilltoppers a 10-point edge, but the Jets would battle back.
 
Newman guard Jeremy Espinoza heated up with 3:51 left in the half. He single-handedly took the Jets on a nine-point run, registering a three-point play and back-to-back three pointers. A layup by Reggie Baker capped off the spree. With 1:44 to go, the visitors had their first lead, 34-33.
 
The Hilltoppers would hang on to the lead as they entered halftime ahead, 37-36. Lindsey played a major role in St. Edward's first half success. He went 3-for-3 from downtown and 5-of-6 from the field to result in 13 points. He also had six rebounds.
 
The second half was a gritty, hard-fought 20 minutes by both teams. The Jets stole the lead away as Baker began to take control, capitalizing on a three-point play opportunity and then laying it up. The visitors led St. Edward's 44-41 with 17:45 left. HARLEY NUSSMAN battled back with a dunk off an assist from Lindsey to bring the Hilltoppers within one point, 46-45, with 16:09 remaining.
 
With 13:37 remaining, Gramlich and Baker entered into a shooting battle. Baker earned his second three-point play, swished a three ball and had a layup to try and put distance between the Jets and their opponent. Gramlich hit three treys and a layup to keep the Hilltoppers within reach of Newman, 66-63, with 9:19 on the clock.
 
Baker's efforts paid off as he sparked a 12-2 streak. The gap went from three points to 11 and with 5:04 left in regulation, the visiting team was up 78-67. FRANKIE MGBOLU kicked off the Hilltopper comeback as he sank two jumpers to close the gap to seven. Gramlich added on to the rally with his fourth three-pointer of the half and a three-point play that brought St. Edward's within two, 80-78, with 1:11 remaining. Eight seconds on the clock and still ahead by two, Newman fouled QUINTON LILLEY sending him to the line for a pair of free throws. Newman called timeout to try and ice Lilley, but the junior calmly sank both forcing overtime.
 
The intensity did not let up at all in the overtime period. Mgbolu made his way into the lane and danced along the baseline to hit a reverse layup, and bring the tally to an even 82-82. Lilley followed with a layup off an assist from ETHAN GILBERT, but layups from Espinoza and Ryan McCarthy kept Newman in it, 84-84. Lindsey and Mgbolu both drove into the paint to finish underneath the basket and give the Hilltoppers an 88-84 edge. Espinoza was sent to the line with 15 seconds, but only managed to sink one. The Jets attempted a three as the clock expired, but St. Edward's would escape with the "W".
 
Gramlich was the headliner for the game as he registered a season-high 26 points. Mgbolu finished with his second double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 boards. RAMIR BURTON added 14 points in the Hilltopper win. Lilley had a notable performance off the bench, registering four points, nine boards, and two assists.
 
St. Edward's heads to the Heartland Conference Tournament this Friday. The tournament will be held in San Antonio at St. Mary's University. The Hilltoppers will be either the two or three seed but the opponent will be Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Hilltoppers and Lions split their season series with each team winning on their own home court. Live video and statistics will be available on the Rattler Athletic Website.