AUSTIN – The ninth-ranked St. Edward's men's basketball team used stifling defense to mount a lead early on their way to a dominant 96-62 win over St. Mary's in the annual Battle of the Saints.
 
From the opening tip the Hilltoppers were in control, holding the Rattlers to just eight first half field goals and ten rebounds to mount an impressive 27-point lead at halftime, 45-18. SEU earned 23 points off turnovers in the half and ten second chance points.
 
DORIAN LOPEZ put St. Edward's on top by 30 on the first possession of the second half, draining one from deep. St. Mary's was able to cut the lead down to 18 five and a half minutes in, but a pair of three-point plays from COREY SHERVILL got the Hilltoppers back on track and well on their way to the win.
 
Shervill was beyond impressive, leading SEU in points with 22 while shooting 8-11 from the floor and 4-6 from long range with a team-high seven rebounds. RYAN GARZA came off the bench to post 14 points while Lopez and LUKE PLUYMEN contributed 13 each.
 
AUGUST HAAS led with seven assists with 10 points with LUCAS DORIA contributing 10 points and six rebounds.
 
As a team the Hilltoppers shot 55 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from three-point range while holding the Rattlers to 46 percent from the floor and forcing them into 25 turnovers.
 
SEU improves to 10-1 on the season and 4-1 in Lone Star Conference play and remain unbeaten at home. They return to action after the long, holiday break to face Oklahoma Christian on Thursday, January 2 at 7:30 pm.




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