AUSTIN, Texas – A victory by UA Fort Smith Saturday afternoon would have given the Lions a share of the Heartland Conference lead, but St. Edward's had other ideas as it broke out of its slump for a huge 83-74 victory at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
The Lions started out hot and led 7-0 early in the first half. The Hilltoppers quickly fought back and tied it up 17-17. From then on, the lead bounced back and forth for the duration of the game. St. Edward's positive team effort led to a high-intensity win. It was just what they needed after its loss to Rogers State two days before.
With the score tied, 74-74, with 2:02 on the clock,
SEAN WATKINS came up big. After sinking one of two free throws, the sophomore guard sank a huge three-pointer with 52 seconds left to put the Hilltoppers ahead by four. Two free throws by
RAMIR BURTON and a layup by
ETHAN GILBERT pushed the lead to eight points and they never looked back.
Gilbert played a key role in the momentum change of the first half. The junior contributed well on both offense and defense with 12 points, six rebounds, one timely block and a pair of steals.
QUINTON LILLEY, one of many potential players of the game, went 4-of-4 from the field, including two from behind the arc for a total of 11 points. He also tallied nine rebounds and five assists. The leading scorer of the afternoon was Burton with 23 points. He went also went 2-for-2 from behind the arc, making him 8-of-10 from the field, with four rebounds. Watkins came up clutch with timely three-pointers, making him the second leading scorer with 14 points.
JOHN GRAMLICH also tacked on 12 points going 5-of-8 from the field.
Deep and timely three pointers were key in maintaining momentum for the Hilltoppers. They were 13-for-31 from behind the arc with the help from Gramlich, Burton, Watkins, Lilley,
AUBRIE KING and
ALEX DOCHE. The Lions were 3-of-13.
"Everyone that has watched, knows that this is the best we've played all year, all calendar year that is," said head coach Andre Cook. "When we move the basketball, we're hard to guard," he adds when crediting their success to being more passing and multiple assists.
St. Edward's next game will be at home against UT-Permian Basin on Thursday, February 4
th at 7:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
| Heartland Conference Standings | | |
| Team | HC | OVERALL |
| TAMU-International | 9-3 | 14-6 |
| Dallas Baptist | 8-3 | 14-5 |
| Rogers State* | 8-4 | 16-4 |
| UA Fort Smith | 8-4 | 15-5 |
| Lubbock Christian | 8-4 | 14-6 |
| St. Edward's | 7-5 | 14-6 |
| UT-Permian Basin | 6-6 | 11-9 |
| Newman | 4-8 | 11-9 |
| St. Mary's | 4-8 | 8-12 |
| Oklahoma Christian | 2-10 | 5-15 |
| Panhandle State | 1-10 | 8-11 |
| *-Not Eligible for Postseason Play | | |
| | |
| Saturday, January 30 | | |
| St. Edward's def. UA Fort Smith, 83-74 | |
| UT-Permian Basin def. Rogers State, 95-81 | |
| Lubbock Christian def. Dallas Baptist, 78-57 | |
| Oklahoma Christian def. TAMU-International, 61-60 |
| St. Mary's def. Newman, 84-65 |
| | |
| Monday, February, 1 | | |
| Dallas Baptist at Panhandle State | | 7:00 PM |
| | |
| Thursday, February 4 | | |
| UT-Permian Basin at St. Edward's | | 7:30 PM |
| St. Mary's at Rogers State | 7:30 PM |
| TAMU-International at UA Fort Smith | | 7:30 PM |
| Panhandle State at Newman | 7:30 PM |
| Lubbock Christian at Oklahoma Christian | 7:30 PM |
