GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — St. Edward's men's basketball found its footing in the paint and finished its work at the free-throw line, leaning on SEAN ELKINTON's 26 points and 10 rebounds to defeat Colorado Christian 73-66 on Saturday at Brownson Arena.
On an afternoon when the Hilltoppers shot 37.7 percent from the field, Elkinton provided a dependable interior target, and St. Edward's protected its possessions and converted its free throws. The Hilltoppers committed only five turnovers and shot 24-for-27 from the line, including 21-for-23 in the second half, to improve to 4-2.
Elkinton finished 8-for-15 from the field and 9-for-10 at the line, adding three assists. ROBERT CONRAD complemented him with 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-4 from deep, and CONOR MCMANUS contributed 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Colorado Christian challenged St. Edward's early, stringing together 12 consecutive points to turn an 8-3 deficit into a 15-8 lead. The Hilltoppers pulled even before the Cougars built another cushion behind Joel Speckman, Gavin Carter, and Porter Bazil, taking their largest lead at 31-22 with 5:51 remaining before halftime.
St. Edward's answered by outscoring Colorado Christian 12-2 over the remainder of the half. Hannah started the response with a 3-pointer, and Elkinton followed with a hook shot and a triple. Conrad then buried a 3-pointer off an Elkinton assist to tie the game at 33 before adding a free throw for a one-point halftime lead.
The teams continued trading advantages early in the second half until Conrad's third 3-pointer put St. Edward's ahead 45-44 with 15:30 remaining. The Hilltoppers never trailed again.
Hannah followed with a driving layup, and Elkinton added a free throw and a three-point play to complete a 9-0 run. St. Edward's held Colorado Christian without a field goal for more than five minutes during that stretch, creating enough separation to withstand the Cougars' next push.
Bazil brought Colorado Christian within 55-53 with 7:01 remaining, but Elkinton answered with another hook shot through contact and converted the free throw. He added two more from the line before McManus connected from deep off Hannah's fourth assist, extending the lead to 63-55 with 3:51 left.
Elkinton's offensive rebound on the next St. Edward's possession led to Speckman's fifth foul and two more free throws, pushing the margin to nine.
Colorado Christian cut the deficit to four with 1:36 remaining, but the Hilltoppers made all eight of their free throws from that point forward to secure the victory.
NOLAN BARKLEY finished with seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Hannah added seven points and four assists. St. Edward's assisted on 13 of its 20 made baskets.
Bazil led Colorado Christian with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Carter added 17 points, and Speckman finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Cougars fell to 0-3.
