AUSTIN, Texas - A huge first half from St. Edward's set up an impressive 97-67 win over Southwestern University Tuesday evening. 

The Hilltoppers started the game on a 7-0 run and kicked off a dominating half of basketball. SEU held the Pirates to just four points in the opening nine and a half minutes. 

By 8:18 left in the first St. Edward's had a commanding 24 point lead, 34-10, before Southwestern's Luke Howard got hot from long range with three straight three pointers to bring the lead back to 20.

St. Edward's closed the half just as they had started, on a 7-0 run to lead by 30 at the break, 52-22. 

With the win never in doubt the Hilltoppers closed out the game while working on the basics. Southwestern would pull within 25 points with ten minutes to play, but that is as close as St. Edward's would allow. 

Corey Shervil led with 19 points in just 21 minutes of action, shooting 7-8 from the field and 2-3 from three point range while also grabbing seven boards. ASHTON SPEARS added 14 points and LUKE PLUYMEN came off the bench to chip in 14 points. Corey McKendree posted eight rebounds to lead SEU while JAMES TAYLOR added seven more with 11 points. 

The Hilltoppers improve to 3-0 on the year and head out on the road for the first time this season, taking on Eastern New Mexico University on Friday in San Angelo at 4 pm.