AUSTIN – After trailing the entire game the St. Edward's men's basketball team used a 19-2 run over six minutes to take their first lead, 60-57, on a three from ASHTON SPEARS with 6:49 to play and never looked back to hang on to defeat Tarleton State University 74-72.
 
SEU struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 34.5 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range and were down 13 points, 42-29, at halftime.
 
TSU seemed to pick up where they left off and extended their lead to 16, 47-31, early in the second half. SEU never lost faith and began to chip away at the deficit, attacking the glass on both ends of the court while executing offensively. Back-to-back three-pointers from DORIAN LOPEZ brought the Hilltoppers within single-digits for the first time in the second half while Spears' dunk tied the game for the first time since the opening tip, 57-57.
 
St. Edward's led by eight, 70-62, with 3:32 remaining but could not put away the Texans for good. TSU's Randall Broddie was fouled at the top of the key and earned three free throws, draining all three to pull Tarleton within two with 21 seconds remaining. TSU forced a Hilltopper turnover and had a shot at the tie but LUCAS DORIA secured the defensive board to set up the win.
 
ASHTON SPEARS led with 23 points on 7-13 shooting from the floor, 3-6 from three-point range and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. AUGUST HAAS was just one assist shy of tying the single-game assist record at SEU, posting 16 assists to go along with his team-high four steals. DORIAN LOPEZ added another double-double to his belt with 17 points and 11 rebounds and JAKE KRAFKA added 13 points.
 
With the win St. Edward's improves to 18-2 on the season and 12-2 in the Lone Star Conference, remaining perfect at home with a 12-0 record. The Hilltoppers haven't been beat on the Hilltop since November 24, 2018.
 
SEU puts that perfect home record on the line on Saturday, facing conference-rival DBU at 3 pm.