AUSTIN, Texas —- St. Edward's avoided a big-game hangover, following a thrilling victory over the No. 3-ranked Dallas Baptist University Patriots with a 104-64 win over Arlington Baptist Patriots to win its ninth consecutive game to open the season. 
 
The Hilltoppers stepped down from NCAA Division II play for only the second time this season, having defeated the NAIA's Our Lady of the Lake University last week, and hosting the National Christian College Athletic Association's Arlington Baptist in the final game before Thanksgiving break and conference play.
 
St. Edward's worked through its checklist in rapid order: 

• Taking care of business early (23-0 run in the first half, leading to a 52-25 halftime lead lead).
• Rest senior point forward BLAKE NIELSEN (DNP).
• Get everyone minutes and touches (Nine players played at least 10 minutes, seven scored in double figures)

 Arlington Baptist responded to a pair of JAMISON KAY free throws and MASON COURTNEY floater with a 3-pointer fro Donte Jones off a Davione Allen assist leading into the first media timeout. St. Edward's came out of the timeout with 23 unanswered points, shooting 8-for-13 from the field, including 4-for-7 from deep, and hitting all three free-throw attempts in under seven minutes of play to go up 27-3. 
 
MAX FILDERMAN led the charge with six points on a pair of 3-pointer, DONOVAN SANTORO scored five, and Courtney and SAM MCKINNEY added three each while RYDER BRADLEY and ROBERT CONRAD both scored a basket over that stretch. Arlington Baptist shot 0-for-9 with four turnovers. 
 
Both teams played on near even terms over the final nine minutes of the half, with St. Edward's outsourcing Arlington Baptist 25-22. CONOR MCMANUS scored all nine of his first-half points over that stretch, combining with Courtney for 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting. St. Edward's outscored Arlington Baptist 12-3 in points off turnovers and 24-4 in the paint for a 52-25 lead at the half.
 
St. Edward's hung up another 52 points after the break and Arlington Baptist's Zion Bourgeois exploded for 12 of the Patriots' 39 second-half points. 
 
DONOVAN SANTORO showcased his scoring versatility with 12 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointer, two free throws, a drop-step hook, and a driving layup. Bradley hit all four of his shots for nine points, and St. Edward's bench outscored its ABU counterparts 29-8. 
 
Santoro led seven Hilltoppers in double figures with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists. McManus added 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Bradley had 13 points on nine thos with three steals, Courtney and Filderman had 12 each, McKinney produced a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Conrad added 10 points, four rebounds, and three steals. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 9-0 and opens conference play next week at home against Sul Ross State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.