AUSTIN – DANIEL VENZANT scored a career-high 38 points Saturday afternoon but the St. Edward's men's basketball team fell 88-82 to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
Just as expected, the game was tight throughout as teams traded the lead back and forth in the first half. Kingsville took the lead with 6:44 to play and never relinquished it as the Hilltoppers went into the break down two, 38-36.
 
The Javelinas charged out of the gate after halftime and quickly mounted an 11 point lead, 47-36, in the blink of an eye before eventually lead by as many as 17 with 12:35 to play.
 
St. Edward's was up to the challenge and pulled within seven points, 66-59, with eight minutes remaining. TAMUK responded with an 8-0 run to go back up by 15, and SEU was never able to get closer the six point deficit at the final buzzer.
 
The Hilltoppers shot 43.9 percent from the floor and 41.4 percent from three point range in the loss. Venzant was 10-16 from the floor and 5-9 from long distance. UCHE DIBIAMAKA added 18 points sand MASON HIX 13. LOGAN COOK led on the glass with nine rebounds.
 
St. Edward's falls to 7-4 on the season and return to action following Christmas break to open Lone Star Conference action against Angelo State on New Year's Eve at 3 pm.