AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's shot 55.7% from the field and committed just 11 turnovers in their Heartland Conference opener, defeating Newman University 96-85 at home Tuesday evening to improve to 7-1 on the year, 1-0 in conference play.

Both teams were hot out of the gate, perfect from the floor on their first four shots each. The uptempo, high-flying action continued throughout the half with both teams still shooting above 50% with eight minutes remaining.

Newman posted their largest lead of the half, seven points, with 7:44 to go, leading 31-24. SEU got back at it and rattled off 11 unanswered points to post a four point lead, 35-31, with 4:10 to go. The Jets were able to briefly regain the lead but ultimately the Hilltopper offense could not be stifled as they took a five point lead into halftime, 45-40.

ASHTON SPEARS led the charge with 13 first half points on 5-10 shooting while DORIAN LOPEZ and COREY SHERVILL added eight.

Four minutes into the second half SEU saw their lead disappear as the Jets went up by two, 55-53.

Second chance buckets kept the Hilltoppers on top, leading by eight 69-61 with just under ten minutes remaining in the game. After the sixth tie of the contest Lopez gave the lead back to St. Edward's with a pair of free throws and SEU never trailed the remainder of the way. AUGUST HAAS' layup with 7:22 to play gave the Hilltoppers their first double-digit lead 73-63.

Cameron Goldfinch's three with 5:07 to play pulled Newman within six, 76-70, but Spears had the answer with a three of his own on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to nine, allowing SEU to close the game.

AUGUST HAAS was electric running the point, posting 19 points and 10 assists to record his first double-double of the season. Spears led SEU with 20 points on 8-13 shooting from the field while Lopez and COREY SHERVILL posted 15 points each. CORY MCKENDREE added 13 points off the bench.

St. Edward's returns to action on Saturday, December 1, returning to the road to face conference-rival St. Mary's at 3 pm.