EDMOND, Okla. – A total of five Hilltoppers scored in double digits on Thursday night, but it was not enough as St. Edward's Men's Basketball fell to Oklahoma Christian, 97-90.
 
JOHN GRAMLICH led the team in scoring with 19 points while RAMIR BURTON added 17 points with a team-high eight rebounds. ETHAN GILBERT joined the double-digit party with 16 points. QUINTON LILLEY scored 14, and SEAN WATKINS had a 10-point output to put half of the Hilltoppers in double digits.
 
However, 41 points from the Eagles' John Moon moved Oklahoma Christian to 7-20 overall, and 4-15 in the conference. St. Edward's falls to 17-10 and 10-9.
 
In the first half St. Edward's shot over 55 percent from behind the arc, and over 40 percent from the field. However, the Eagles were on fire, shooting 60 percent from the field, and 50 from the three-point line.
 
Halfway through the first period the Hilltoppers held a 26-22 lead, thanks to a three pointer from AUBRIE KING. A 16-0 run for Oklahoma Christian erased the advantage, and gave the home team an 11-point cushion. Gramlich sank a jumper to break the streak, and Burton hit a shot with time expiring, but the Eagles maintained a 40-34 advantage at the half.
 
In the second half the visitors from Austin shot even better, going 19-of-42 from the field, but the Eagles stayed hot. The home squad shot 67 percent. A lack of scoring runs kept the margin close, and a pair of baskets from Watkins and Gramlich could not push St. Edward's ahead.
 
Coach Cook and his team close out the regular season on Saturday at Newman, searching for a win to keep them above .500 in the league. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. with links for live stats and video at GoHilltoppers.com.