AUSTIN - St. Edward's men's basketball closed 2021 with a bang, posting a 96-80 win over Angelo State to open Lone Star Conference action. The Hilltoppers shot 56.5 percent from the field in the win. 

MASON HIX opened the game with a three on SEU's first possession, setting the tone for the entire game offensively for the Hilltoppers. Defense allowed St. Edward's to build a big lead, 23-7 as they held the Rams to just seven points in the first ten minutes of the game.

Angelo State made run and they were able to pull within five points, 34-29, with 5:31 remaining in the half. SEU sprinted to halftime, outscoring the Rams 13-2 to take a 16 point lead into the break, 47-31. 

ASU started the second half strong and were quickly within eight points, 47-39, but Uche Dibiamake hit another step back jumper in the lane to kickstart another run. With 10:48 to go in the game, SEU posted their largest lead, 20 points, going up 70-50 on MARCUS HILL's jumper from deep. The Rams never got within single digits the remainder of the way as the Hilltoppers did everything they needed to secure the win. 

DANIEL VENZANT led St. Edward's with 26 points, going 10-16 from the floor and 2-6 from three point range. Dibiamaka added 19 points on 9-13 shooting and MASON HIX added 17 points. BENNETT MOHN posted 12 points and Hill 11 points in the win. Hix led on the glass with 10 boards to post his first double-double of the year. 

SEU improves to 8-4 on the year and starts LSC action with a 1-0 mark while ASU falls to 9-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. They return to action on Sunday, hosting UT Permian Basin at 3 pm.