The Dallas Baptist Patriot Basketball Team defeated the Hilltoppers from St. Edward's University, 73-59, Monday night at the Burg Center. The Patriots improve to 12-9 on the season with the win, and take sole possession of fourth place in the Heartland Conference with a 4-4 record.

The Patriots took control early and never looked back, as they led for all 40 minutes of the game. It only took the first ten minutes for the Patriots to build up a double-digit lead, when Senior Braxton Adamson drained a three-pointer to give DBU a 16-6 advantage.

DBU extended their lead for the remainder of the half, and held a 37-22 lead at the break. Just as they had done two games ago against Oklahoma Panhandle State, the Patriots posted impressive numbers from the free throw line. In the first half alone, DBU was a perfect nine-of-nine from the charity stripe.

Adamson started the second half with another three, but St. Edward's responded with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to trim the DBU lead back to single digits, 40-31. That's as close as SEU would get in the second half, however, as the Patriot offense continued to roll. At one point, DBU held as much as a 28-point lead late in the game. Another jumper by Adamson gave the Patriots a 71-43 lead with just over four minutes remaining.

DBU continued their hot shooting from the free throw line in the second half, only missing one of their 16 shots. The Patriots finished an astonishing, 24-of-25 from the line, increasing their percentage to 72.4 which is second in the Heartland Conference.

Juniors Armie Lewis and T.J. Clark led the Patriots offensively, each finishing with 14 points. Lewis held the advantage as he also picked up four assists and three steals. Adamson was the only other Patriot in double figures, finishing with 12 points.

DBU will continue their season on the road for the next two games as they take on St. Mary's on Thursday and Texas A&M International on Saturday. Thursday's game against the Rattlers is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.