AUSTIN, Texas – Junior guard SEAN WATKINS scored a career-high 25 points Thursday, but that was not enough as St. Edward's fell to Lubbock Christian, 90-83, at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
Watkins was 7-for-10 from the field with five made three-pointers. He also tied for the team high in assists (3) and steals (4).
 
St. Edward's (13-8, 5-3 Heartland) falls into a tie for third place in the Heartland Conference. Lubbock Christian (10-7, 4-3 Heartland) moves up into a tie for fifth in league play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half had both teams taking the lead as it changed hands eight times.
• Watkins had the hot hand early, scoring eight of the first 13 points for St. Edward's.
• Lubbock Christian held its largest lead at 41-36 with 37 seconds to play in the first half.
• A three-point play by senior RAMIR BURTON cut the Chaps lead to 41-39 at the break.
• In the second half, the Chaps advanced their lead to six points on three occasions.
• Senior JOHN GRAMLICH started to heat up, scoring 10 points in the first 15 minutes of action to keep the home team in the game.
• After two free throws by Watkins cut the lead to 72-69 with 4:44 to play, Lubbock Christian responded with a decisive 9-2 run over the next two minutes.
• Timely free throw shooting helped the visitors to victory down the stretch.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Joining Watkins in double-figure scoring were Burton (21), Gramlich (15), and sophomore JAMES TAYLOR (10).
• Lubbock Christian shot 67 percent (32-48) from the floor and had five players in double figures.
• The Chaps outrebounded the Hilltoppers, 37-12.
• Lubbock Christian increases its lead in the all-time series to 12-7. They have now won four straight.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"Tonight's game was won by LCU's inside guys. They absolutely dominated us. They pounded it down low and our posts did not have an answer. Our schedule doesn't get any easier, and Saturday is going to be tough against a good Dallas Baptist team."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's continues its homestand Saturday with a 2 p.m. matchup against Dallas Baptist inside the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live stats and video will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Lubbock Christian 90, St. Edward's 83
Records: St. Edward's (13-8, 5-3 Heartland), Lubbock Christian (10-7, 4-3 Heartland)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Watkins (25), Lubbock Christian-Holman (21)
Attendance: 378
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Team                           Conference              Overall
TAMU-International             6-2                         12-6
Dallas Baptist                      5-2                         10-6
St. Edward's                        5-3                         13-8
Rogers State                       5-3                         12-6
Lubbock Christian                4-3                         10-7
Newman                               4-3                         6-10
UA Fort Smith                      4-4                         11-9
St. Mary's                             4-4                         6-11
Oklahoma Christian            1-7                         6-10
Panhandle State                  0-7                         5-11

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