AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M International entered play at St. Edward's on Thursday night in a brawl for the Heartland Conference's top spot. The Dustdevils began the night in a tie with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, and they ended the evening in the same position after cementing a 67-64 nudging of the Hilltoppers.

The Lions (18-5, 12-4 Heartland) edged Newman 95-91 in overtime to keep pace with the Dustdevils (19-7, 12-4 Heartland). The Dustdevils will conclude the regular season at McMurry on Feb. 22 and at St. Mary's on March 1, while the Lions finish up with hostings of Oklahoma Panhandle State and Rogers State. The conference' current standings see St. Mary's and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin sitting in the third and fourth positions, respectively. Only the conference's top four teams will qualify for the postseason tournament, which will be hosted by the first place team.

On Thursday, the Dustdevils were led by Kevin Jefferson Jr.'s game-high 20 points off the bench. Jefferson shot a staggering 6-for-8 from the field – 1-for-2 from long range – and 7-for-8 from the free throw line. He snatched five rebounds, dealt two assists and swiped a pair of steals in just less than 30 minutes of play.

Fellow senior Jordan Clark was the only other Dustdevil to score 10 or more points. The high-flying forward scored 10 points with three boards, an assist and three steals.

Senior captain Matthew Culliver Jr. scored nine points and pulled in six rebounds, along with two assists and a steal.

Big men Vadal Faniel and Damal Donaldson both scored eight points. Faniel rejected a pair of Hilltopper attempts and made a steal. Donaldson stuffed a shot and dished two assists. Both bigs pulled in four rebounds.

Fellow post player, Curtis Trotter, scored five points with two rebounds in just nine minutes of play. Deonnte Breedlove scored three points while both William Wise and Jamie Farrie scored two points.

The Dustdevils will look to maintain the treacherous first place pace against McMurry on Saturday at 3 p.m.