The St. Edward’s men’s basketball team secured an 89-76 win over Oklahoma Christian University on Feb. 15, extending its winning streak to three games.
The Oklahoma Christian Eagles struck first, scoring the game’s opening points, but senior center Lewis Rowe quickly responded to put the Hilltoppers on the board. Both teams went back and forth early, neither gaining a significant lead. A timeout was called with 11 minutes left in the first half, with the game still tightly contested.
Out of the timeout, Oklahoma Christian went on a 5-0 run, taking the lead for the first time. However, the Hilltoppers responded with strong defensive plays, forcing a shot clock violation and keeping the game competitive. Sam McKinney, Connor McManus and Wonder Kahozi contributed with crucial blocks to help maintain defensive pressure.
Rowe led the Hilltoppers in scoring through the first half, keeping St. Edward’s within striking distance. Senior guard Gavino Ramos also contributed key points, helping the team keep the lead. At halftime, the Hilltoppers held a narrow 40-37 lead.
“All these games are really important for us,” Ramos said.
Oklahoma Christian started the second half with another 5-0 run, briefly taking control. The Hilltoppers struggled to find their rhythm until Mason Courtney knocked down the team’s first 3-pointer two minutes into the half, igniting their offense.
From that point, the game remained tight, with both teams exchanging baskets. Neither team was able to pull away until the Hilltoppers found their groove with 10 minutes left.
McKinney drilled a momentum-shifting three-pointer, sparking a dominant 24-5 run by St. Edward’s. The Hilltoppers overwhelmed Oklahoma Christian with scoring bursts from Courtney, Ramos and McKinney, stretching the lead to 82-61 with just four minutes remaining.
Courtney took control for the Hilltoppers in the second half, leading the team with 20 points after halftime. His offensive surge helped St. Edward’s build momentum and pulled away late in the game, playing a key role in securing the victory.
The Eagles were unable to mount a comeback as St. Edward’s maintained control down the stretch. A final basket by Jake DeFranza sealed the victory, allowing the Hilltoppers to close out the game with confidence on senior day with a win.
“It was a little bit shaky to start, but we found our groove, and coach always tells us to keep going and keep pushing even throughout the second half and that’s what we did,” DeFranza said. “We just kept going and kept pushing. That’s what this team is all about.”
With the win, St. Edward’s moved up two spots in the Lone Star Conference standings, now sitting sixth with an 11-7 conference record. The team will travel to face Eastern New Mexico University on Thursday, looking to extend its winning streak.
