AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's men's basketball remains perfect at home after their toughest test yet, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville 73-64 Thursday night. The win improves SEU to 15-1 on the year, 9-1 in Lone Star Conference play to remain atop the division.
 
It was the Hilltopper defense that set the tone as play got underway, holding TAMUK to one field goal in the first eight and a half minutes of the contest and led by 13, 21-8, midway through the frame.
 
The Javalinas cut it to six, 33-27, with 2:18 remaining in the half, but SEU closed the frame on an 8-1 run to head into the break up 13, 41-28. St. Edward's shot 51.5% from the field in the half while holding TAMUK to 20% from the floor and 9.1% from three-point range.
 
Kingsville came out of the half with a renewed fire and chipped away at the lead just as SEU hit a scoring drought which allowed the Javalinas to take the lead 62-60 with just over five minutes to play.  
 
After a pair of staunch defensive possessions by the Hilltoppers resulting in back-to-back shot clock violations for TAMUK, SEU ended the game on a 13-2 run, relying on their senior leadership and solid free throw shooting to secure the win. St. Edward's went 9-12 from the free throw line while not allowing another Javalina field goal in the final four minutes.
 
ASHTON SPEARS was the leading scorer for the Hilltoppers, posting 19 points while JAKE KRAFKA added 15 and DORIAN LOPEZ 13. AUGUST HAAS had 10 assists while Spears posted a team-high three steals.
 
St. Edward's remains at home to face Texas A&M International on Saturday. Tip is set for 3 pm.