ODESSA, Texas – Sophomore RAMIR BURTON poured in a season-high 25 points but UT-Permian Basin outscored St. Edward's, 96-87, Thursday evening at the Falcon Dome. The loss dropped the Hilltoppers out of first place for the first time this season as they sit one game behind UA Fort Smith, Lubbock Christian, and St. Mary's.
 
After a 4-0 start by UT-Permian Basin (13-8, 8-5 HC), the Hilltoppers controlled the first 12 minutes of the game. St. Edward's (16-5, 8-5 HC) went on a 28-9 run to control the game early, 28-13, with 8:49 remaining. Burton made the first two buckets then the visitors started to heat up from outside. Both AUBRIE KING and ETHAN GILBERT hit two shots from downtown, while FRANKIE MGBOLU capped off the run with a three-pointer of his own.
 
The Hilltoppers still held a 14-point advantage at 34-20 with 6:10 remaining, but the Falcons came storming back. UT-Permian Basin got eight points from Chris Griffin and six more from Codye Hatcher as they ended the half on a 22-4 run. That put the home team ahead, 42-38 at the break.
 
In the second half, the Falcons opened with a 17-5 run in the first four minutes of action. Hatcher and Griffin were at it again as they combined for seven of those early points.
 
St. Edward's would chip away at the lead throughout the second half, and finally at the 2:21 mark they would finally get within single digits, 84-75. Back-to-back three-point plays from Burton and Mgbolu, plus a three-pointer from TREY LINDSEY pulled the Hilltoppers within six points with 50 seconds on the clock. However, UT-Permian Basin hit 6-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute to clinch the victory.
 
Burton's 25 points were tied for the game high with Griffin. The sophomore went 8-for-15 from the floor and 9-of-15 from the free-throw line. Mgbolu added 17 points, while Gilbert chipped in with a career-high 15 points off of the bench.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they host Dallas Baptist. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. The Hilltoppers are 12-1 at home this season.
 
                                             Heartland           Overall
Team (Preseason)                 W-L                   W-L
UA Fort Smith (1)                    9-4                    13-8
St. Mary's (2)                            9-4                    12-8
Lubbock Christian* (6)           9-4                    12-8
St. Edward's (9)                       8-5                    16-5
UT-Permian Basin (4)             8-5                    13-8
Rogers State* (5)                     8-5                    14-7
Newman (8)                             7-6                    11-8
Dallas Baptist (7)                     6-6                    12-8
TAMU-International (3)          5-8                   10-11
Panhandle State (11)             1-11                   3-17
Oklahoma Christian* (10)     1-12                   3-16
 
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
February 2
DBU 92, OPSU 72
 
February 5
UTPB 96, SEU 87
STMU 72, RSU 68
NU 91, OPSU 77
UAFS 66, TAMIU 62
LCU 80, OC 65
 
February 7
DBU at SEU                                  2:00 PM
OC at OPSU                                  3:00 PM
NU at LCU                                    3:00 PM
RSU at TAMIU                              3:00 PM
UAFS at STMU                             3:00 PM