AUSTIN, Texas – Senior RAMIR BURTON scored 22 points to lead St. Edward's to an 83-73 victory Saturday over Texas A&M-International at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
The Hilltoppers (12-6, 4-1 Heartland) shot 89 percent (32-36) from the free-throw line to knock off the conference-leading Dustdevils (10-6, 4-2 Heartland). St. Edward's moves into a tie for first with Newman at 4-1 in league play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• St. Edward's started the first half hot, gaining a five-point lead on two occasions.
• TAMU-International used 65 percent shooting from the floor to take back the lead 39-36 at the break.
• The Hilltoppers made eight consecutive free throws in the early going to take a 52-47 advantage with 15:18 to play.
• Seven straight points by Burton and a layup by freshman LUCAS DORIA pushed the Hilltopper lead to double digits with just over 10 minutes to play.
• TAMU-International pulled within six points on two occasions late in the game, but the Hilltoppers kept the lead with excellent free throw shooting down the stretch.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Burton finished with 22 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field while making 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.
• Sophomore CORY MCKENDREE turned in a solid effort with 16 points and eight rebounds.
• Sophomore LANDON GOESLING produced his best game of the season with 15 points off the bench.
• St. Edward's shot 55 percent from the floor in the second half and held the Dustdevils to 41 percent shooting in the second half.
• The 32 made free throws by St. Edward's are a season high.
• With the victory, St. Edward's ties the all-time series (11-11). The Hilltoppers have won three straight matchups with the Dustdevils.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"These are always the toughest two games in the conference, because TAMU-International and St. Mary's are very physical teams. I am thrilled to get wins in both games. The senior leadership is doing a great job and we are having fun. That takes a lot of the stress away."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's is back in action Thursday when it hits the road to face Rogers State at 7:30 p.m. inside the Claremore Expo Center. Live video and stats will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: St. Edward's 83, TAMU-International 73
Records: St. Edward's (12-6, 4-1 Heartland), TAMU-International (10-6, 4-2 Heartland)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Burton (22), TAMU-International-VanDeKop (17)
Attendance: 378
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Team                           Conference       Overall
St. Edward's                        4-1                         12-6
Newman                               4-1                         6-8
TAMU-International             4-2                         10-6
Dallas Baptist                      3-2                         8-6
Rogers State                       3-3                         10-6
UA Fort Smith                      3-3                         9-8
St. Mary's                             3-3                         5-10
Lubbock Christian                2-3                         8-7
Oklahoma Christian            1-4                         6-7
Panhandle State                  0-5                         5-9
For the latest updates on the St. Edward's men's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @SEUMBasketball.