PORTALES, N.M. – In a matchup that featured two programs in the top 20, No. 17 St. Edward's pulled away with an 84-81 win over No. 19 Eastern New Mexico.

"In a three-point game you can pick all kinds of things," said head coach Daven Võ when talking about the various plays that affected the game. "Hats go off to coach Andre Cook and his team. He did a really good job getting the team ready coming off a loss to WT."

For a third-straight game, Eastern struggled in the opening period of play. SEU was able to find open opportunities to shoot shots from behind the arc and took a 47-38 advantage going into halftime intermission. In the first period of play, St. Edward's connected on 10-of-16 (62.5%) from three-point range.

ENMU did not shoot well in the opening 20 minutes. The Greyhounds made 13-of-35 (37.14%) from the floor. However, the Hounds were able to change the course of the game in the second half.

SEU looked like they were going to run away with the contest over the opening two minutes of the second half as they went up 55-40. Eastern quickly moved the game into three possessions by the under-16 media timeout. With 13 minutes remaining in the contest, a block by Jose Murillo turned into a fastbreak layup by Mo Austin to put the score at 59-57.

St. Edward's continued to keep control of the game and extended the lead to 76-66 with 5:31 left. That is when ENMU made the final push to close out the game. Eastern's late effort saw the Greyhounds tie the game, 79-79, with 1:38 remaining off a slam dunk from Jose Murillo. SEU made a couple quick baskets to go up 84-79.

Cooper Jackson got the game within one possession with a layup. With 16 seconds left, the Hounds fouled the Hilltoppers to setup a one-and-one free throw. SEU missed and Murillo pulled down the rebound. Eastern had one final shot to move the game into overtime and just missed from the corner three for Austin Abrams.

Five Greyhounds scored in double figures – Austin Abrams (18 pts), Cooper Jackson (13 pts), Mo Austin (11 pts), Jose Murillo (11 pts), and Mika Tangermann (11 pts).

ENMU assisted on 15 of their 30 field goals. Jackson had seven of those assists and Elijah Hollins had four.

Jackson and Austin continue to be some of the top defensive threats in the Lone Star Conference as both had three total steals and challenged Hilltopper guards throughout the matchup. Tangermann and Murillo both went 4-for-5 from the field to aid the Hounds offensively. Off the bench, Hollins contributed eight points. Alex Alfaro (five points) and Zaylan Chaney (four points) also scored for ENMU.

The program tied a season-best nine three pointers in the loss. They also won the fast break point battle, 21-8.

Eastern New Mexico moves to 12-3 (5-2 LSC) and will now prepare for a matchup with Midwestern State next Thursday.