AUSTIN – In a must-win Lone Star Conference contest for St. Edward's men's basketball, the Hilltoppers made the most of every opportunity to defeat St. Mary's 87-70 Wednesday evening.
 
SEU shot 56.3 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from three-point range in the contest while posting a nearly 2:1 assist to turnover ratio.
 
St. Edward's led the majority of the first half, although just a slight advantage during most of the half, posting a double-digit lead briefly with just under eight minutes until the break. B.J. MAXWELL's three on the Hilltoppers final offensive possession sent SEU into the locker room with a nine point lead, 43-34.
 
The Hilltoppers exploded in the second half, leading by as many as 22 points with six minutes to play in the game. With a comfortable lead the Hilltoppers were able to hold of St. Mary's in the final minutes to secure the win.
 
B.J. MAXWELL led the way with 23 points, going 10-16 from the floor and 3-5 from three-point range with five rebounds and four assists. DANIEL VENZANT added 20 points, shooting 9-12 from the field and 2-3 from long range with seven assists. MARCUS HILL added 11 points and JAKE KRAFKA 10 with a team high nine rebounds.
 
The Hilltoppers improve to 9-6 on the season and 9-6 in Lone Star Conference play. They sit in tenth place in the point standings currently with two games to play. The top eight teams earn a spot in the Lone Star Conference Championship to begin in early March.