AUSTIN, Texas – GAVINO RAMOS and
LEWIS ROWE provided the fireworks to their Senior Day celebration, delivering an 89-76 win over Oklahoma Christian to pick up St. Edward's men's basketball's third consecutive victory.
Ramos scored 19 points and dished out four assists, and Rowe recorded a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with three blocks and three assists, with five Hilltoppers scoring double figures.
JAMISON KAY and Rowe carried St. Edward's early, combining for nine points to open a 19-12 lead through the first eight minutes.
Oklahoma Christian responded with a 13-0 run midway through the first half. Javon Grant started the run with a 3-pointer, then Marco Foster hit back-to-back 3-point plays, hitting a layup through contact, free throw, and 3-pointer. Miles Gibson capped off the run by finding Bryce Kennedy for a layup, then converting on one of his own for the 25-19 lead.
St. Edward's closed the half on a 21-12 run behind reserves
LATIEK BRISCOE,
SAM MCKINNEY, and seniors Rowe and Ramos. Rowe scored six points down the stretch, and
LATIEK BRISCOE,
SAM MCKINNEY, and Ramos added five each, with Ramos closing the half with a pair of free throws to go up 40-37.
Gibson exploded for 16 points in the first half for Oklahoma Christian, shooting 5-for-7 from the field with a 3-pointer and five free throws. Rowe and Ramos combined for 19 points on 12 shots at the break, and McKinney added seven.
After a scoreless first half,
MASON COURTNEY caught fire in the second, scoring all 20 of his points on 7-for-8 shooting, including six 3-pointers. Courtney hit three 3-pointers as part of a 16-3 run, Ramos added a fourth 3-pointer, and Row and McKinney scored two each to open an 82-61 lead with 4:26 remaining.
Gibson led Oklahoma Christian with 23 points on 11 shots, and Marco Foster added 19. Kay added 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals with a block. McKinney added 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks off the bench.
St. Edward's improves to 17-10 with a 10-7 record after the win. The Hilltoppers will travel next week to play Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M.
