SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night, as St. Edward's defeated them 65-58 in the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center.
The Rams (3-1) continued their season-long trend of out-rebounding their opponents with 39 to just 32 for the Hilltoppers and had a lead early in the second half, but were unable to hold on as St. Edward's earned just their second win in program history against Angelo State.
St. Edward's had the hot hand early in the contest, building a quick 14-7 lead just five minutes in. Back-to-back jumpers from Ronald Bell and Antonio Singleton and a three-pointer from Paul Williams got the Rams back in the game though, and they pulled within one on a jumper from Collin Turner with 7:56 left in the first half.
Bell was the Rams leading scorer on the night and recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was 2-3 from behind the arc.
The two teams traded baskets the rest of the half, with St. Edward's never getting ahead by more than 4 and ASU tying the game twice. Williams hit another jumper with nine seconds left in the half and the Rams went into the locker room down just one.
With the first basket of the second half, Angelo State took their first lead of the game as Josh Boutte hit a layup in the paint. The game teeter-tottered back and forth for a few minutes after that as the two teams traded buckets before St. Edward's took control again with a 14-0 run that lasted until the 13:26 mark.
Daron Mims finally ended the run with a floater in the lane, but the Hilltoppers maintained their double digit lead. A three-pointer from Singleton with 4:57 remaining changed things though. ASU followed up with a pair of jumpers from Bell and the Rams were suddenly down just four with three minutes to play.
The Rams were unable to continue the comeback though, as St. Edward's hit their free throws down the stretch to hold onto the win.
Angelo State will be back at home again nest weekend, taking on Paul Quinn College on Friday and Adams State on Saturday in the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center.
