OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – ETHAN GILBERT's three pointer with 10 seconds left Saturday gave St. Edward's a thrilling 77-76 victory over Oklahoma Christian at the Eagles' Nest.
 
The Hilltoppers (10-6, 2-1 Heartland) trailed by as many as 13 points. They rallied down the stretch to escape with their second straight Heartland Conference victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Oklahoma Christian started hot from outside making 7-of-10 from the three-point line.
• The Eagles led 34-29 with 7:09 remaining.
• St. Edward's got seven points from RAMIR BURTON in the final stretch to end the half on a 16-4 run. That cut the Oklahoma Christian lead to 38-37 at intermission.
• In the second half, St. Edward's stayed close with suffocating defense.
• Down 74-72, St. Edward's got a three pointer from Gilbert with 10 seconds on the clock.
• Oklahoma Christian's last-second attempt missed and the Toppers won the game 77-76.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Gilbert led the Hilltoppers with 18 points, while Burton (13), JAMES TAYLOR (10) and CORY MCKENDREE (10) also scored in double figures.
• The Hilltoppers tied the school record for free-throw percentage going 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. They were also perfect against Panhandle State (10-10) in the 2009-10 season.
• The Hilltoppers forced 18 Eagle turnovers during the game and scored 25 points off turnovers.
• St. Edward's held Eagle All-American John Moon to nine points. This was his first game not in double figures this year.
• The victory puts St. Edward's into a five-way tie for first place at 2-1 in Heartland Conference play.
• St. Edward's closes its deficit in the all-time series to 5-7.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"We showed great resilience today. We hung around all game and were really tough as a team. That was a great shot by Ethan. I am just really proud of the guys and their effort."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's will be back in action Thursday when they host long-time rival St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m. inside the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: St. Edward's 77, Oklahoma Christian 76
Records: St. Edward's (10-6, 2-1 Heartland), Oklahoma Christian (6-5, 1-2 Heartland)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Gilbert (18), Oklahoma Christian-Horton (23)
Attendance: 255
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Team                           Conference               Overall
St. Edward's                        2-1                         10-6
Rogers State                       2-1                         9-4
TAMU-International             2-1                         8-5
UA Fort Smith                      2-1                         8-6
Newman                               2-1                         4-8
Lubbock Christian                1-1                         7-5
Dallas Baptist                      1-1                         6-5
Oklahoma Christian            1-2                         6-5
St. Mary's                             1-2                         3-9
Panhandle State                  0-3                         5-7

For the latest updates on the St. Edward's men's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @SEUMBasketball.