Box Score Box Score (PDF)

THE RUNDOWN
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – After leading by as many as 17 points, St. Edward's University let Colorado Mesa climb back in the contest and force overtime. However, the Hilltoppers were able to hold on in overtime with a 100-92 win in the season opener at Brownson Arena.

Landon Goesling scored a career-high 25 points including three clutch free throws in regulation to help ensure overtime. The Mavericks outscored the Hilltoppers 47-34 in the second half and led by four points with 1:08 left to go. However, down 79-76, Goesling was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 20 seconds remaining, and the junior guard sank all three free-throws to force OT.

The Hilltoppers got hot in the overtime period, outscoring the Mavericks 21-13 in extra time, thanks to 8-of-9 shooting from the floor. SEU snapped a four-game losing streak in overtime games and head coach Andre Cook improved to 7-2 all-time in season openers for the Hilltoppers.

Cory McKendree complimented Goesling's big night with a double-double, as the junior forward had 10 points and 11 boards. Freshmen Corey Shervill and Sean Phillips made their college debuts special by scoring in double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Landon Goesling scored a career-high 25 points, passing his previous high of 15 points (vs. TAMIU, 1/7/17).
• Goesling's eighth point was the 200th of his career.
• Goesling has nine career games with double-digit points.
• Corey McKendree had the first double-double of his career with 10 points and 11 rebounds; he is the only active Hilltopper to record a double-double in his career.
• McKendree has seven games with double-digit points and three with double-digit rebounds in his career.
• Sean Watkins led the Hilltoppers with five assists and four steals.
• Freshmen Corey Shervill and Sean Phillips scored in double figures in their collegiate debuts with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
• St. Edward's snapped a four-game losing streak in overtime contests picking up its first win in extra time since Jan. 7, 2016 (W, 107-93 at UT Permian Basin)
• St. Edward's is 4-0 all-time vs. Colorado Mesa and 2-0 vs. the Mavericks in Grand Junction, Colo.
• St. Edward's is 44-42 all-time in season openers and 7-2 in the Andre Cook era.

STAT OF THE GAME I
19 – SEU scored 19 points off Mavericks turnovers compared to CMU's nine points off SEU's miscues.

STAT OF THE GAME II
21 – The Hilltoppers scored 21 second-chance points on 15 offensive rebounds

THEY SAID IT
SEU Head Coach Andre Cook holding on for the win …
"I was proud of the perseverance of the guys. They could've hung their heads and pointed fingers after giving up the lead, but they didn't. Their execution at the end of the game was fantastic and Landon [Goesling] made three clutch free throws. Always great to start 1-0."

WHAT'S NEXT
SEU concludes the annual Heartland / RMAC Challenge with a game vs. Colorado Christian at 6 p.m. Saturday at Brownson Arena.