AUSTIN – The St. Edward's men's basketball team and Texas A&M International combined for 66 free throws in a double overtime thriller Thursday night. SEU pulled out the win, defeating the Dustdevils 84-81.
 
A breakneck pace started right from the tip, setting the tone early for the entire contest. SEU led by eight points, 18-10, eight minutes into the game, but TAMIU bounced back and briefly led 22-20 with 7:39 to go until halftime. By halftime, the Hilltoppers had pushed the lead back to seven, 36-29.
 
With a strong start to the second half, St. Edward's extended their lead to 17, 56-39, and seemed to have the game fully in their control. The Dustdevils had other plans, however, and started to chip away at the lead from the free throw line. TAMIU finally evened the score 71-71 with two minutes to play.
 
A pair of free throws by DANIEL VENZANT tied the game at 73 with just under a minute to go. The Hilltopper defense was up to the challenge with three blocks on the final defensive possession to send the game into overtime.
 
Defenses ruled the first overtime with just one field goal and one free throw from each team, sending the game into a second overtime with the score locked at 76-76.
 
TAMIU scored first in the second overtime, but it was SEU that sprinted to the finish with a crucial three-point play by Venzant followed by two clutch free throws from BLAKE NIELSEN to put the Hilltoppers up three with just seconds remaining.
 
Venzant led with 25 points as St. Edward's shot 42.6 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three point range. UCHE DIBIAMAKA added 18 points, MASON HIX 13 and MARCUS HILL 12.
 
LOGAN COOK once again led on the glass with 12 rebounds and added three blocks.
 
SEU improves to 7-3 on the year while Texas A&M International falls to 7-2. The Hilltoppers remain at home to host Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at 3 pm.