KINGSVILLE, Texas – The St. Edward's men's basketball team got multiple quality looks in the closing seconds of overtime but fell short in a 77-73 loss to the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas.

SEAN ELKINTON and JEFF GARY led the Hilltoppers with 16 points each. Still, they missed a go-ahead 3-pointer and game-tying fadeaway on St. Edward's final possession in another classic Lone Star Conference game that predictably went down to the wire in overtime. 

St. Edward's caught fire midway through the first half, reeling off a 25-13 run over 10-and-a-half minutes to take a 33-19 lead with 5:43 remaining in the half. The Hilltoppers shot 9-for-16, including 4-for-7 from deep in a balanced attack over that stretch. 

Texas A&M-Kingsville responded with a 14-2 run, locking in on defense, getting to the free-throw line for 10 attempts, and converting eight to pull to within two at 35-3 at the break. 

UCHE DIBIAMAKA and Gary combined for 15 points in the first half, in which the Hilltoppers hit 14-for-30 from the field with seven of its eight players who saw minutes scoring. Dillon Gooding led Kingsville with nine points on 4-for-6 shooting, and the rest of his teammates did their damage from the free-throw line, where they combined to shoot 12-for-14. 

The game went back and forth in the second half with five tied scores and seven lead changes. Kingsville took a one-point lead on a Marcus Jones-Green 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining. However, Elkinton and Gary put the Hilltoppers back up 64-61 with an offensive putback and layup. 

St. Edward's surrendered consecutive layups and turnovers, then multiple offensive rebounds, to relinquish the lead at 67-64. BLAKE NIELSEN cut the deficit to one on a quick isolation driving layup from the right wing and then made a defensive stop leading to Gary getting fouled on the fast break, hitting one of two free throws to tie the game with 39 seconds remaining. The Hilltoppers got a final look in regulation but missed the 3-pointer as time expired. 

The Hilltoppers opened overtime with a 6-2 run, getting a pair of buckets inside the paint from Elkinton and a floater from Gary to take a 73-69 lead. However, Will Chayer scored on an offensive rebound, and Jake Majors and Gooding hit a free throw each to tie the game. 

St. Edward's made a costly turnover with a minute remaining, and Creighton Avery took advantage with a driving layup for the lead. 

Gary got an open look at a 3-pointer, followed by another open Elkinton 3-pointer, an offensive rebound, and a step-back jumper from Gary. However, all three shots fell short, and Kingsville sealed the game with free throws. Gooding led Kingsville with 16 points, and Isaiah Payne and C.J. Smith added 13 points each. 

St. Edward's falls to 15-7 with a 9-4 conference record after the loss. The Hilltoppers will travel to play Texas A&M International on Saturday.