AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's University men's basketball celebrated Homecoming in style Saturday night, lighting up the scoreboard and honoring the past all in the same evening. The Hilltoppers topped Huston-Tillotson 107-62, marking their second consecutive exhibition of 100 points and leaving no doubt that this team's offensive engine is firing on all cylinders.
The festivities began before tipoff, as the 2005-06 St. Edward's squad returned to the Hilltop to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Lone Star Conference championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance. A halftime ceremony highlighted the program's rich history, with former players, coaches, and alumni sharing memories and basking in the roar of the crowd at the Recreation & Athletics Center.
But when the ball dropped, the present-day Hilltoppers took control. St. Edward's moved the ball crisply, attacked the basket relentlessly, and stretched the floor with a barrage of three-pointers.
MASON COURTNEY got the night started with a corner triple, and
BLAKE NIELSEN slashed his way to the rim repeatedly, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The offense was balanced and relentless.
RYDER BRADLEY, Courtney, and
CONOR MCMANUS each scored 14 points, with McManus hitting four of seven from beyond the arc.
JAMISON KAY chipped in 11 points, knocking down three triples in quick succession that brought the crowd to its feet. Overall, the Hilltoppers shot 56.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three.
Huston-Tillotson showed flashes, led by Campbell's 15 points and Cansler's 11, but they could never contain St. Edward's pace or depth. The Hilltoppers' bench contributed 33 points, and transition buckets and second-chance opportunities kept the Tigers chasing the game the entire night.
The game was a celebration in every sense. Alumni waved from the stands, families cheered, and the Homecoming energy gave the current squad a spark that translated into a dominant performance on the floor. For the Hilltoppers, Saturday's win was about more than just points; it was about honoring the past while showcasing a team that appears poised for a season full of excitement.
With consecutive 100-point exhibitions and the echoes of championship tradition ringing through the gym, St. Edward's men's basketball made one thing clear: the Hilltop is alive and thriving.
