AUSTIN, Texas – On the second night of a back-to-back, the Southwestern University Pirates men's basketball team struggled against the NCAA Division II St. Edward's University Hilltoppers, losing 97-67 in an exhibition game.
The Hilltoppers' inside-outside combination of forward Corey Shervill (19 points and seven rebounds, 7-for-8 from the field) and guard Ashton Spears (16 points, 4-for-8 from deep) proved to be too much for the Pirates to contain as St. Edwards shot 56.3 percent for the game, including 16-for-31 (51.6 percent) from behind the 3-point line.
Southwestern University struggled mightily in the first half, giving up a 52-22 lead after hitting only 26.7 percent from the field and giving up 11 points off turnovers and 12 second-chance points.
The Pirates settled down in the second half, matching the Hilltoppers' 45 points by finding their touch from deep, hitting 5-for-11 from 3-point range after the break. They also managed to turn some defense into offense, scoring 13 points off turnovers and outscoring St. Edward's 18-14 in the paint in the second half.
Southwestern University simply couldn't stop St. Edward's, who finished with four players in double figures with Luke Pluymen (14 points) and James Taylor (11 points, seven rebounds) coming off the bench to join Shervill and Spears in double figures.
Luke Hicks led the Pirates with 14 points, hitting 4-for-8 from deep. Stan Kennegieter scored 12 off the bench, hitting all three of his shots (including 2-for-2 from deep) from the field and all four of his free-throw attempts as the only other Southwestern University player in double figures.
The Pirates will resume regular season play on the road against Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Southwestern University will host Howard Payne University on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 4:00 p.m.