The Dallas Baptist University Patriots Basketball Team opened up Heartland Conference play on Saturday evening with a win over the St. Edward's Hilltoppers, 76-69. The Patriots are now 6-4 on the season, and 1-0 in conference play.
The Patriots came out firing as they connected on three pointers by Junior Braxton Adamson and Sophomore Armie Lewis to open up a quick 8-2 lead. The Hilltoppers responded with a 12-2 run of their own, giving them a 14-10 lead on a Patrick Barnes layup.
Holding a narrow two point advantage with 7:00 minutes remaining in the half, St. Edwards capitalized on three Dallas Baptist turnovers to extend their lead to eight. The Patriots fought back with a steal by Freshman B.J. Dale and layup by Sophomore Jordan McGowen, which knotted the game at 24-24 heading into halftime.
After a back and forth start that saw 12 lead changes, the Patriots were able to open up a seven point second half advantage at the 10:03 mark. Adamson's third 3-pointer of the game gave the Patriots their biggest lead of the night, 51-44.
The Hilltoppers refused to go away as Forward Reggie Shanks scored eight straight points, and St. Edward's came roaring back to tie the game at 57-57 with 5:56 remaining. A minute later, Shanks picked up a technical foul, his fifth of the night, which sent the Patriots' Adamson to the free throw line. Adamson connected on both attempts and the Patriots retained possession. Two free throws by Dale gave Dallas Baptist a 63-57 lead with 4:12 to play.
The Hilltoppers went without a field goal the next three minutes and were forced to begin fouling, as they trailed 68-60. The Patriots converted on 7-9 from the charity stripe to close out the game, sealing a 76-69 win.
Adamson led the way for the Patriots with 23 points, connecting on 3-5 from behind the arc and 10-10 from the free throw line. McGowen turned in a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Shanks finished the night with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Hilltoppers.
The Patriots will continue their road swing Monday, January 4, as they travel to Laredo to take on Texas A&M International at 5:00.
