Photo Gallery vs. UAFS
TULSA, Okla. – The No. 6 seed St. Edward's men's basketball team fell Friday to No. 3 seed UA Fort Smith 81-76 in the quarterfinals of the Heartland Conference Tournament.
Senior
JOHN GRAMLICH led St. Edward's (17-15) with a game-high 21 points in his final collegiate contest. UA Fort Smith (21-10) had five players score in double figures as they advance to the semifinals Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both offenses started cold as neither team scored in the first three minutes of play.
- A 3-pointer by junior SEAN WATKINS gave St. Edward's a 7-4 lead at the 15:29 mark.
- The lead would change hands eight times during the first half before settling at a 36-30 lead for UA Fort Smith.
- In the second half, the Hilltoppers took an early lead in the first minute of action.
- The Lions responded with a 16-5 run over the next five minutes to take control of the game.
- After the lead swelled to double digits with under 10 minutes play, St. Edward's started to rally.
- Senior RAMIR BURTON scored eight points to lead the Hilltoppers back into the game.
- Gramlich's 3-point play with 3:45 left to play cut the Lion lead to 72-71.
- However, three offensive rebounds and putbacks gave UA Fort Smith the needed cushion to win the game.
HILLTOPPER NOTES
- Gramlich shot 6-of-19 from the floor and 5-for-7 from the free-throw line.
- Burton was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line and led the Hilltoppers with eight rebounds.
- St. Edward's forced UA Fort Smith into 17 turnovers and only committed eight of its own.
- St. Edward's trails the all-time series with UA Fort Smith, 12-6.
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"I thought we battled and fought, but a few mental mistakes cost us. Give UA Fort Smith credit, they had a lot of pressure on them this season and they have handled it well. At times we got stagnant, and that affected us on both ends of the court."
GAME INFORMATION
Score: UA Fort Smith 81, St. Edward's 76
Records: St. Edward's (17-15), UA Fort Smith (21-10)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Gramlich (21), UA Fort Smith-Coleman (17)
Attendance: 284
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