AUSTIN – A tight first half gave way to domination in the second half as St. Edward's defeated UT Permain Basin 86-65 Thursday evening. With the win, Head Coach Andre Cook secured his 200^th career victory on the Hilltop.
 
The Hilltoppers seemed poised to go into the locker room deadlocked at 35-35 but JAKE KRAFKA hit a buzzer beater from six feet beyond the arc to send SEU into the break up three, 38-35.
 
The slim margin did not last long, however, as St. Edward's exploded for ten points in the first three minutes. The Falcons climbed back to within four, 48-44, with just over 15 minutes to play, but SEU again had the answer, outscoring UTPB 34-8 over ten minutes of action to post their largest lead of the game, 30 points, with 5:04 to play.
 
The Hilltoppers were never threatened as they held off UT Permain Basin with aggressive defense.
 
SEU shot 50 percent from the floor and 43.3 percent from three point range in the win and was led by B.J. MAXWELL who posted 25 points in 10-17 shooting from the floor, 5-7 from long range.
DANIEL VENZANT added 16 points, JAKE KRAFKA 15 points, LOGAN COOK 11 and MARCUS HILL 10. Cook posted a double-double, adding a team high ten rebounds to his 11 points.  
 
St. Edward's improves to 8-1 on the season and 6-1 in Lone Star Conference play. They are set to tipoff for the second game of the series on Friday at 5 pm.