AUSTIN, Texas – GAVINO RAMOS hit some clutch free throws, and St. Edward's men's basketball survived a 12-0 Texas A&M-International scoring run in the second half to hold on for a 72-66 victory to sweep the week's games. 
 
St. Edward's offense was nearly clicking on all cylinders in the first half in a blur of motion driven by Ramos and BLAKE NIELSEN, who each found the right balance between finding their own shot and moving the ball to open teammates. 
 
Ramos opened 15 points in the first half, hitting 5-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-3 from deep. He also had five assists with no turnovers and two seals. Nielsen was just as efficient, scoring 12 points with his assortment of spin moves, post-ups, and flip shots. Nielsen also had four assists, including two on backdoor cuts to BENNETT MOHN for layups. 
 
The Hilltopper offense assisted on 13 of its 17 made field goals in the first half, going up by as many as 19 and leading 47-31 at the break. 
 
Texas A&M International adjusted its defense in the second half, forcing St. Edward's into more turnovers (eight) than assists (five). After getting most of what they wanted in the first half with their motion offense, the Hilltoppers stopped imbuing their actions with aggressiveness, attacking individually. 
 
The Dustdevils disconnected those actions and slowly climbed back, gaining momentum with a balanced attack that erupted in a 12-0 scoring run midway through the second half to pull within two on a turnaround jumper. 
 
Elkinton created separation with critical back-to-back buckets to put St. Edward's back up 64-59 after a 3-point play on a hook shot and a foul. Then Nielsen found Mohn for another layup and hit a hook shot. A Damian Watson layup with 1:33 remaining closed the gap to 68-66, but Ramos drew a foul and nailed both free throws to go up two possessions again. 
 
Ramos finished with 19 points, five assists, and three steals. Nielsen added 15, five rebounds, and six assists, and Elkinton scored 14 and grabbed eight rebounds. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 16-7 with a 9-5 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel next week to play at Dallas Baptist and UT Tyler.