Box Score KINGSVILLE, Texas – It took five extra minutes of action but the St. Edward's Men's Basketball team was able to avenge their only loss of the season, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville 88-83 in overtime Wednesday evening.
 
SEU held the TAMUK offense to just four points in the opening five minutes but were unable to take advantage and held just a slight lead 9-4. After the seventh tie of the half, 27-27, with 3:40 to play COREY SHERVILL drained a jumper for his 10th point of the half to hand the lead back to the Hilltoppers.
 
With 1:49 remaining St. Edward's was up by five, 33-28. The Javelins closed the half on an 8-2 run to send SEU into the locker room down one, 36-35.
 
Short runs by both teams highlighted the second half as the game remained tight. SEU pulled ahead by six on two different occasions, but Texas A&M-Kingsville always seemed to battle their way back even.
 
The Hilltoppers rode a four-point advantage into the final media timeout, but TAMUK surged back following the brief break to tie the game once again, 68-68 with just over three minutes to play.
 
DORIAN LOPEZ hit two of three free throws after being fouled on an attempt from long range and ASHTON SPEARS followed with a layup to give SEU an important four-point lead, 72-68, with 1:56 on the clock.
 
The Javelinas edged closer from the free throw line, earning four points from the charity stripe to pull within one, 75-74, with 35 seconds to play. Turnovers down the stretch proved costly, allowing TAMUK possession with a chance at the final shot. Jamell Bradley was fouled and hit one of two free throws to tie the game 75-75 with 17 ticks remaining.
 
Spears' three was just off the mark and Lopez couldn't get the put back off in time to send the game into overtime.
 
Lopez again hit a big three late in overtime, putting SEU up 84-82 with 1:12 remaining. TAMUK's Stevenson made just one of two free throws, handing the power back to the Hilltoppers. LUKE PLUYMEN and Shervill were perfect from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the win while the defense kept the Javelinas from stealing the game.
 
Spears led with 28 points while Lopez was outstanding, posting his first double-double of the season with 23 points and 15 boards. He shot 63.6% from the floor (7-11) and 75% from three-point range (3-4). Shervill added 16 points and seven rebounds.
 
SEU improves to 9-1 on the season and push their win streak to three. They return to the road to face Rice in an exhibition game on Thursday, December 13 at 11:15 am before coming home to face Schreiner University on December 15 at 2 pm.