AUSTIN, Texas — RYDER BRADLEY, BLAKE NIELSEN, and the St. Edward's Hilltoppers dominated UT Tyler by land, sea, and air, grinding out points in the paint, splashing 3-pointers, and soaring high in the lane for a 95-61 win over the Patriots. 

Nielsen controlled the game early, following his own missed floater and finding JAMISON KAY for the short jumper on the Hilltoppers' opening possession, with Kay returning the favor on St. Edward's next possession, finding Nielsen for a dribble handoff 3-pointer. 

St. Edward's star point forward scored 10 of St. Edward's first 21 points to build a quick double-digit lead, catching fire from deep with a trio of 3-pointers on four attempts to complement his twisting, turning, off-the-dribble drives and floaters for 18 first-half points and three assists. 

Bradley was the perfect counter, driving through the teeth of the defense to create shots for himself and others, scoring 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting with three assists before the break. 

The one-two combination of St. Edward's two leading scorers staggered the Patriots, and the defense tilted the floor in the Hilltoppers' favor, like a snowball picking up mass in an avalanche. St. Edward's limited UT Tyler to 10-for-30 shooting, contesting shots without fouling, rotating ahead of threats, and forcing nine turnovers, including six of the live-ball variety. 

With few made baskets and free-throw attempts to force St. Edward's to take the ball out from the baseline, UT Tyler spent the half back on their heels, beginning nearly every defensive possession in a scramble. 

St. Edward's took advantage with a 15-1 edge in points off turnovers, and a barrage of open 3-pointers, hitting 9-for-18 from deep in the half with MASON COURTNEY and CONOR MCMANUS adding two each as the Hilltoppers reeled off a 15-0 run late in the half to take a 50-26 lead into the break. 

The Hilltoppers assisted on 11 of their 18 made field goals, with only three turnovers, and UT Tyler's Hudson Anderson was the lone Patriot to connect on more than one field goal in the half, shooting 2-for-3. Kay anchored the defense with seven rebounds while facilitating as a dribble handoff hub and secondary playmaker with four assists. 

St. Edward's showed no letup after the break. The Hilltoppers opened the second half with another scoring run, stretching the margin beyond 30 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Balanced scoring continued to define the night, as multiple Hilltoppers found rhythm from deep and the defense limited UT Tyler to just 35 percent shooting overall.

Bradley led all scorers with 22 points, attacking off the dribble and converting at the free-throw line, earning seven attempts and converting six after the break. Nielsen added another 3-pointer in short work, finishing with 21 points, hitting 4-for-6 from deep. 
 
Kay finished with eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds to go with six assists, showcasing his all-around impact, and ROBERT CONRAD sparked St. Edward's with 12 points off the bench, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, hitting two 3-pointers, and adding a pair of assists.

The Hilltoppers finished the game shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from beyond the arc, outscoring the Patriots 32–22 in the paint and forcing 12 turnovers that led to 20 points. 

St. Edward's returns to Lone Star Conference action this weekend against No. 25 DBU, carrying momentum from one of its most complete performances of the season.