AUSTIN, Texas – LUKE PLUYMEN was perfect from the free throw line, 8-8, in the final 1:12 to keep the Hilltoppers unbeaten in Heartland Conference play and extend the SEU win streak to 12 with a 77-71 win over Lubbock Christian.
 
The Chaps outscored St. Edward's 20-11 in the final 5:39 and pulled as close as two points with 16 seconds remaining.
 
The pace was dictated early by the Hilltoppers and LCU hung briefly with both teams combining for 20 points in the opening five minutes. Soon, however, St. Edward's was able to build a cushion by maintaining the frenzied pace. The SEU lead swelled to 20, 33-13, with 7:27 to go in the half and the Hilltoppers held on to lead by 19, 43-24, at the break.
 
St. Edward's led by as many as 22 in the second half before Lubbock Christian began to chip away at the lead. With 4:09 to go, the Chaps brought the deficit to single digits, 66-57, and continued to claw their way back in the game until pulling within two points, 73-71.
 
Pluymen drained two free throws to push the lead back to four and DORIAN LOPEZ had a huge steal on the ensuing possession, giving the ball back to the Hilltoppers with seven seconds remaining to seal the win.
 
ASHTON SPEARS led all scorers with 28 points, going 10-17 from the field and 6-11 from three-point range. Lopez posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Pluymen ended with 10 points in nine minutes of action.
 
With the win the Hilltoppers improve to 18-1 on the year and 7-0 in conference play. They will enjoy some time off before hosting St. Mary's for the Battle of the Saints on January 30 at 7:30 pm.