AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's (13-1) started 2019 in impressive fashion, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 44.7% from three-point range to hand Daemen (11-2) their second loss of the season.
SEU's defense was suffocating early, and coupled with ASHTON SPEARS who exploded offensively with 15 of the Hilltopper's 25 points in the opening eight and a half minutes, St. Edward's was able to mount an 11-point lead, 25-14.
With just over five minutes to play, SEU pushed their lead to 20 on RYAN GARZA's third three of the frame, 44-24. The Wildcats battled back, pulling within ten points, 47-37, as Jeff Redband drained a jumper from long range with 1:43 to go in the half.
Spears answered from distance with seconds remaining for his 18th point of half to send the Hilltoppers into the locker room with a 16-point advantage, 55-39.
SEU shot 47.1% from the field and 50% from three point range in the half and forced Daemen into eight first half turnovers.
Things quickly heated up as the second half got underway and the Hilltoppers flew out of the gate. After pushing their lead to 23, 70-47, early in the second half Daemen battled back to within 18 on three separate occasions. A 12-4 run midway through the frame put SEU on top by 26, 94-68, with 7:24 remaining.
SEAN PHILLIPS' three from the corner in front of the SEU bench eclipsed the 100-point mark with 3:55 to go in the contest as the Hilltopper lead continued to climb until the final buzzer sounded.
Spears ended with a season-high 32 points, going 8-13 from the floor and 5-9 from three-point range. Garza added 17, LUCAS DORIA 15 and Phillips 12 while AUGUST HAAS dished out nine assists with nine points.
The Hilltoppers remain at home and return to Heartland Conference play on Thursday, January 10, facing Dallas Baptist at 7:30 pm.
