SAN ANTONIO - After an extremely close game in which they lead for a large part, Texas A&M International men's basketball (3-7, 0-1 HC) dropped a heartbreaker to St. Mary's (6-3, 1-0 HC) 57-54 on Tuesday to open Heartland Conference play.

Tom Higgins led the Dustdevils with 16 points and four rebounds, as well as an assist. Danny Spinuzza posted 15 points with five assists, two steals and a rebound. Brent Finn contributed 12 points and an assist.

In an incredibly tight half, TAMIU opened on a 4-0 run and managed to hold the lead for the majority of the half, running out to its largest lead at 19-9 with 9:15 left. The Rattlers managed to battle back and hold things to a single possession, with the Dustdevils taking a slim 25-22 lead into the half.

After a tense back and forth to open the second half, featuring four lead changes in the first three minutes, TAMIU was able to regain control of the game and hold off St. Mary's for much of period. However, unlike the first half, the Rattlers to keep the game within four points at most. After making two free throws with just over two minutes left, St. Mary's tied the game at 52-52. They then drove down the floor on their next possession and took the the lead 54-52 on a jump shot in the paint. Thanks to fouls and made free throws in the waining seconds, the Rattlers pulled out the win 57-54.

The Dustdevils will continue conference play on Saturday, Dec. 1 as they travel to Dallas, Texas to face off against Dallas Baptist.