AUSTIN — The Southwestern University Pirates men's basketball team surrendered 30 points off turnovers in a 99-69 loss to the NCAA Division II St. Edward's Hilltoppers. 

Brandon Alexander continues to showcase his all-around offensive punch in two exhibition games against higher classifications of competition, scoring 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-5 from the deep while shooting 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. The reigning SCAC Player of the Year also contributed four rebounds in 28 minutes. 

In fact, the Pirates had little trouble converting on shots when they were able to create them, shooting 48.1 percent from the field, including 11-for-26 (42.3 percent) from the free-throw line.

Ball control and defense were the main culprits, giving the Hilltoppers an 11-4 advantage in turnovers in the first half while surrendering 56.3 percent shooting from the field, including 7-for-14 from the 3-point line, to trail 53-46 at the break. 

Southwestern had little answer for St. Edward's Ashton Spears, who scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half and fi fishing 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from the 3-point line. 

For the game, the Hilltoppers had 13 more shot attempts, winning the rebounding battle 36-24 and scoring 30 points off turnovers and 40 points in the paint. 

Luke Hicks also scored in double figures for the Pirates, scoring 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting, hitting all three of his 3-pointers. Kyle Poerschke had eight points. 

Southwestern will travel this weekend to play in the Lee Fulmer Memorial Classic in Redlands, California. The Pirates will face La Verne on Friday, Nov. 15 and Redlands on Saturday, Nov. 16.