AUSTIN, Texas – SEAN ELKINTON closed the first half and opened the second on a dominant run, bludgeoning Texas A&M-Kingsville inside while his teammates buried the Javelinas outside in an 85-67 win. 
 
Both teams played to a standstill in the first half, swarming the ball with defensive rotations and extra-effort plays. Neither team created much separation with the ball or on the scoreboard. Texas A&M-Kingsville generated the longest scoring run at 7-0, and St. Edward's opened the largest lead in the half at six. 
 
BLAKE NIELSEN and GAVINO RAMOS carried the offense early, each connecting on a physical drive to the rim. Ramos showcased his gritty play, crashing the glass for an offensive rebound, kicking it out, and watching the ball swing around the perimeter and back to him on a no-look pass. 
 
Ramos was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, and Nielsen was 3-for-4, combining for 17 points and five assists in the first half. Texas A&M countered in waves, outsourcing the Hilltopper bench 13-2 in the first half, with Kavon Booker and Jordan Henderson scoring four each. 
 
Elkinton scored seven of his nine first-half points in his second stint, teaming with Ramos to push St. Edward's into the lead before the half. Ramos hit a critical four-point play, sidestepping a closeout and draining a 3-pointer through contact for the 30-28 lead. Elkinton followed a Texas A&M-Kingsville bucket with a 3-pointer for the 33-30 lead at the half. 
 
St. Edward's sophomore big man carried the momentum into the second half, opening with a one-man 7-0 run. Elkinton hit the glass for an offensive rebound. Then, Ramos crashed for an offensive rebound in traffic and touch pass to Elkinton, followed by an Elkinton jump stop and layup through contact for the 3-point play and a 40-30 lead. 
 
After prying the defense open with his scoring inside, Elkinton showcased his passing with a pair of assists for layups to Ramos and ALEU ALEU. 
 
Ke'Andre Jones and Nate Garcia stabilized the Javelinas with a combined 10 points to bring Texas A&M-Kingsville back within single digits, but Nielsen answered with a rim-shaking dunk, and BENNETT MOHN followed by crashing the glass to earn a pair of free throws to put the Hilltoppers up 62-49. 
 
Elkinton's presence inside worked to pry at the Javelina's defense like a crowbar, and the Hilltoppers blew the game open with six second-half 3-pointers, with none receiving a louder ovation than ZEKE BULLINGTON's for the final score of the game. 
 
Elkinton led five Hilltoppers in double figures with 21 points and eight rebounds. Ramos finished with 14 points and six assists, Nielsen scored 13 and four assists, BENNETT MOHN scored 12, and Aleu had 11. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 15-7 with an 8-5 record. The Hilltoppers will host Texas A&M International on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.