Box Score SAN ANTONIO – St. Edward's men's basketball was outscored by St. Mary's in the second half, falling 76-73 Friday afternoon in the Battle of the Saints.
 
The game was tight from the jump with neither team able to take a definitive lead. SEU led by as many as eight, 18-10, midway through the frame before the Rattlers took the lead 30-28. StMU's lead was brief, however, as the Hilltoppers took a one point lead into the locker room, 36-35. SEU got 14 first-half points from JAKE KRAFKA as the Hilltoppers shot 40.6 percent from the floor.
 
As the second half got underway, StMU got hot and went on a 15-4 run to lead by ten 50-40. MARCUS HILL's three got the Hilltoppers back on track and SEU pulled within five, 57-52 with 10:17 to play.
 
The Rattlers held onto a slight advantage until the clock ticked under six minutes and StMU put together another run, extending their lead to 12, 68-56. Despite their best efforts, St. Edward's was unable to pull within striking distance, never getting closer than four points in the final five minutes until under 30 seconds to play. Krafka's free throws with 21 seconds remaining brought SEU within two, 75-73, but StMU hit one of two to extend their lead to three. The Hilltoppers had two chances at the tie but they were just off the mark as SEU suffered the loss.
 
Krafka ended with 22 points, going 7-16 from the floor and 3-9 from three-point range. RYAN GARZA added 13 points, DANIEL VENZANT 12 and B.J. MAXWELL 10. Maxwell also led on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds.
 
St. Edward's falls to 8-6 on the season and 8-6 in Lone Star Conference play. They return home to host St. Mary's on Saturday for a 5 pm tip.