St. Edward’s Tops Javelinas Again

AUSTIN, TEXAS – For the second time this season, the St. Edward’s men’s basketball team defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville by three points.  On Monday night, they won 70-67 in a game that had 15 ties and 11 lead changes.
        
The Javelinas (2-4) had a five point lead with 5:43 remaining in the game, but the Hilltoppers (4-2) were able to tie it up on a lay-up by Khaliq Gross and a three-pointer from Zilijan Jones.  The final tie of the game came with 50 seconds left when Ricky Simon (Lamarque/Lamarque HS) scored on a jumper while drawing a foul.  He was unable to convert the free throw and St. Ed’s took the lead on a free throw by Chris Wacker two seconds later.
          
After a turnover by the Javelinas, Jones knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 68-65.  The Javelinas missed a pair of three-pointers in the final 22 seconds that could have tied the game.
          
The Javelinas shot 42.9 percent from the field, made 4-of-17 from three-point range and were 15-for-23 at the foul line.  Mark Stevenson (South Bend, IN/Chabot College) led the team with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field.  Adam Morris (Goliad/Goliad HS) poured in 17 points off the bench.  Pierce Brooks (North Hills, CA/Sherman Oaks HS) added 13 points while Wayne Lovings (Round Rock/Stony Point HS) led the team with 13 rebounds.
          
The Hilltoppers shot 58.3 percent from the field, made 6-of-13 three-pointers and were 22-for-33 at the charity stripe.  Jones led the team with 15 points while Gross and Shimeek Johnson each had 11.
          
The Javelinas outrebounded St. Ed’s 31-29 and committed five fewer turnovers, but could not overcome being outscored by seven points at the foul line.
          
The Javelinas are back in action on Thursday night at home against Northeastern State at 8 p.m.