AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's was looking to move into a tie for first place in the Heartland Conference standings, but it could not get by a hot-shooting Dallas Baptist squad. The Hilltoppers were bested by the Patriots, 84-71, Monday evening at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
After shooting just 41 percent from the floor in the first half, Dallas Baptist (10-4, 4-2 HC) caught fire in the second, shooting the ball at a 69 percent clip. The Patriots outrebounded the Hilltoppers, 44-30.
 
"Dallas Baptist is a good team and they played hard tonight," head coach Andre Cook said. "We need to pick each other up. There are too many games in this league to let things linger. You do that and it's a losing streak."
 
FRANKIE MGBOLU led all Hilltoppers with 14 points as four players reached double-figures. QUINTON LILLEY and Aubrey King added 11 points each, while RAMIR BURTON chipped in with 10. For King, it was the second-straight game he has recorded double-figure scoring off the bench.
 
Dallas Baptist opened the game on a 9-4 run in the first three minutes of action. Patrick Burke led the way with four points during the span.
 
Back-to-back three-pointers from Lilley and JOHN GRAMLICH, and two-straight buckets from Mgbolu gave St. Edward's (11-3, 4-2 HC) a 10-0 run, and a 14-9 lead with 14:38 remaining.
 
After a three-point play by Burton at the 13:14 mark gave the Hilltoppers a six-point lead, six-straight points by the Patriots knotted the score, 19-19.
 
Dallas Baptist would roll that momentum into a five-point lead with 5:40 left, but St. Edward's rallied down the stretch. Two buckets by Lilley and another from ETHAN GILBERT tied the game at the break, 30-30.
 
In the second half, the first five minutes saw both teams match each other shot-for-shot. With the Patriots clinging to a 45-42 lead with 14:23 left in the contest, the visitors responded with a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to open up a 57-42 advantage with 11:47 remaining.
 
For the rest of the contest, the Hilltoppers would get no closer than 13 points as Dallas Baptist ended the St. Edward's two-game winning streak.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Thursday when they take on TAMU-International. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.