AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's used an early 22-2 run Saturday to race to a 100-75 victory over Oklahoma Christian at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
St. Edward's (16-9, 8-4 Heartland) has won three straight games and moved to within one game of first place in league play. Oklahoma Christian (8-12, 3-9 Heartland) stays in ninth place.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Seniors JOHN GRAMLICH and ETHAN GILBERT combined for 18 points to lead St. Edward's on a 22-2 run in the game's first six minutes.
• The lead increased to as many as 27 points in the first half with St. Edward's shooting 56 percent from the floor.
• The Hilltoppers were even better in the second half, shooting 59 percent from the field.
• Senior RAMIR BURTON scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half to keep St. Edward's comfortably in the lead.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Gramlich led the Hilltoppers in scoring with 20 points, followed by Gilbert with 19.
• Burton finished with 17 points and sophomore JAMES TAYLOR chipped in with 13 points off the bench.
• The Hilltopper bench outscored Oklahoma Christian's, 38-19.
• St. Edward's trails the all-time series, 7-6, but has won two straight against the Eagles.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"I was thrilled to jump on these guys early. It was a role reversal from their place earlier in the season. We have done a good job of bouncing back after the Dallas Baptist loss a couple of weeks ago. We had to re-evaluate a lot after that game and have turned things around. This weekend coming up will be a very tough, physical test."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's is back in action Thursday when it travels to face Texas A&M-International at 7:30 p.m. in the Kinesiology and Convocation Center. Live stats and video will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: St. Edward's 100, Oklahoma Christian 75
Records: St. Edward's (16-9, 8-4 Heartland), Oklahoma Christian (8-12, 3-9 Heartland)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Gramlich (20), Oklahoma Christian-Moon (24)
Attendance: 418
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Team                           Conference       Overall
Dallas Baptist                      9-3                         15-7
Rogers State                       9-4                         16-7
St. Edward's                        8-4                         16-9
Lubbock Christian                8-4                         14-8
UA Fort Smith                      8-5                         15-10
TAMU-International             8-5                         14-9
St. Mary's                             5-8                         8-15
Newman                               5-8                         7-15
Oklahoma Christian            3-9                         8-12
Panhandle State                  0-13                       5-17

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