SAN ANTONIO, Texas – St. Edward's kicked off competition on Wednesday evening, facing Division I UT San Antonio in an exhibition game and led all but 21 seconds to hand the Roadrunners their first loss of the season.
SEAN PHILLIPS' three opened the scoring for the Hilltoppers and kicked off an 8-0 run to start the game. SEU retained the lead through the entirety of the half, leading 34-32 at the break.
SEU began the second half just as they had the first, starting on a 7-2 run to lead 41-34. UTSA pulled within one, 61-60, with 7:17 remaining, but
LUCAS DORIA answered with a layup to keep the Hilltoppers on top.
With one minute remaining the Roadrunners could feel their opportunities slipping by and started to turn up the intensity, tying the game for the first time since the opening tip 73-73 with 23 seconds remaining.
LUKE PLUYMEN hit both free throws on the ensuing possession, but UTSA took the lead on Nick Allen's three with 14 ticks left.
JAMES TAYLOR's three out of the timeout was just off the mark, but the Hilltoppers secured the rebound to keep hope alive. Head Coach Andre Cook drew up the perfect play as Pluymen drew the foul and calmly hit both free throws to hand the lead back to the Hilltoppers with just two seconds to play.
DORIAN LOPEZ and
ASHTON SPEARS led St. Edward's with 12 points each while Haas chipped in ten. Lopez had an impressive six steals while
COREY SHERVILL grabbed nine boards. SEU shot just 38.5 percent from the field and 34.3% from three point range, but held the Roadrunners to just 19.2% from three-point range and forced them into 19 turnovers.
St. Edward's opens their season on Friday, facing Colorado Christian at 7 pm.
