AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's men's basketball offense clicked into place over the first 10 minutes of the second half, and the Hilltoppers held on for an 85-71 win over the Midwestern State Mustangs. 
 
JEFF GARY led four Hilltoppers with 19 points, providing difficult shotmaking and a parade of free throws, hitting 9-for-12 from the charity stripe to go with nine rebounds and three assists in a solid all-around performance. 
 
Both teams battled early, with eight ties and seven lead changes in the first half. St. Edward's created some separation with a 13-4 run generated by a 3-pointer each from Gary, SEAN ELKINTON, and JAYDEN JOHNSTON to go up 20-13 with 12 minutes remaining in the half. 
 
Midwestern State stayed close behind a big first half from Mason Gibson and Reggie Hill, combining for 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting. The Mustangs even took a 31-29 lead on a pair of Will Shepherd free throws with 5:42 remaining in the half before the Hilltoppers closed it with a 12-6 run sparked by its bench to take a 41-37 lead at halftime. 
 
Gary led St. Edward's with 11 points, and Elkinton and JAYDEN JOHNSTON scored seven each. The Hilltoppers outscored the Mustangs 11-3 on second-chance points and 14-10 in bench scoring. 
 
St. Edward's found its rhythm in the second half, opening with layups from Elkinton and Nielsen to spark a 26-9 run to go up 67-46 eight minutes in. The Hilltoppers hit a blistering 8-for-10 from the field, including 4-for-5 from deep and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line, while forcing Midwestern State into 2-for-10 shooting over that stretch. 
 
JAMISON KAY and Johnston led the charge with six and five points, but the Hilltoppers played with balance, forcing a defensive rotation and then passing one step ahead of the help throughout the run. 
 
St. Edward's assists on eight of its 12 made field goals after the break, led by BLAKE NIELSEN's four assists. The Hilltoppers' team captain shook off a cold shooting start to score six points, grab six rebounds, and drop four dimes in 18 second-half minutes, finishing with eight points, ten rebounds, and five assists. 
 
The Hilltoppers shot 12-for-24 from the floor, including 4-for-11 from deep, and helped keep Midwestern State at bay with 16-for-21 shooting from the free-throw line in the second half. 
 
Kay and Johnston scored 13 and 12 off the bench, hitting a combined five 3-pointers on eight attempts. Elkinton added a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Ramos and Mohn scored nine and eight points with solid defense, getting a pair of blocks from Ramos. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 8-3 with a 2-1 conference record, dropping Midwestern State to 8-2 with a 2-2 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host Cameron on Sunday.