AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M International (0-1) fell 87-59 to No. 15 St. Edward's (1-0) in the first of two non-conference matchups to open the season.

The Dustdevils were led by junior Daniel Kiely with 12 points, four assists and one rebound while shooting 50% from the floor. Junior Tre Thomas finished just shy of a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds as well as a block and a steal. Sophomore Darian Gibson also logged eight points with two rebounds and an assist.

TAMIU managed to hold the Hilltoppers to a two-possession game for the first 17 minutes of action. However, a 7-0 run with 2:31 left in the half gave SEU its first double-digit lead of the game at 38-27. That margin wouldn't last long though as the Dustdevils mounted their own 7-0 run to trim the lead to 38-34. A late jumper with under a minute left gave the Hilltoppers a 40-34 lead going into the half. 

Unfortunately, the second half told a different story as SEU's defense stifled the TAMIU offense, only allowing them to shoot 31.0% from the field after shooting 56.0% in the first half. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Dustdevils couldn't do much to stop the Hilltoppers as they opened the half on a 34-9 run to take their largest lead of the game at 74-43. While TAMIU made a valiant effort to cut into the deficit down the stretch, St. Edward's would eventually roll to a 87-59 win.

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow at 2 p.m. as they face off in the final matchup of the two game set.