AUSTIN, Texas – Texas A&M International men's basketball had to play 10 extra minutes, unfortunately dropping a double overtime non-conference matchup against Lone Star Conference foe St. Edward's 84-81.
 
The Hilltoppers (7-3, 0-0 LSC) held serve for the majority of the first half, leading by as many as seven points, 20-13, with 9:55 remaining.
 
TAMIU (7-2, 0-0 LSC) countered with a 7-0 run to take a 22-20 lead, before the score eventually ended up tied 24-24 with 4:54 left in the half.
 
St. Edward's ramped up the offense in the final minutes, outscoring the Dustdevils 12-5 to take a 36-29 lead into the break.
 
The Hilltoppers would keep up the offensive pressure in the second half, leading by a game high 17 points, 58-41 with 10:26 remaining.
 
TAMIU then used an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 58-49, before St. Edward's countered to lead 60-49.
 
The Hilltoppers continued to hold the lead, at one point by 10, but with 3:33 left, the Dustdevil deficit still sat at six points.
 
Down 71-65 at that point, TAMIU used another 8-0 to take the lead 73-71 with just 1:18 remaining.
 
St. Edward's would capitalize on two free throws with 51 seconds remaining to tie the game at 73-73 and the game went to overtime.
 
The first overtime period was quiet as the only points scored by both teams were successful and-one layups.
 
In the second overtime, the teams traded jumpers and both went 1-for-2 from the free throw line as the score was still even 79-79.
 
The Hilltoppers then converted another successful and-one to take an 82-79 lead, but the Dustdevils scored with 44 seconds left to make it 82-81.
 
TAMIU had a chance to take the victory but were unsuccessful and St. Edward's converted free throws at the end to make the final 84-81.
 
On the night, the Dustdevils shot 37% (27-for-73) from the floor and 29.2% (7-for-24) from deep. TAMIU, however, was 64.5% (20-for-31) from the charity stripe.
 
The Hilltoppers finished the game shooting 42.6% (26-for-61) from the field, 25% (5-for-20) from three and 77.1% (27-for-35) from the free throw line.
 
Three Dustdevils finished in double figures, with senior Greg Bowie II leading the way with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
 
Junior La-Quiem Walker followed with 17 points before fouling out and fellow junior Jermaine Drewey scored 13 points and also fouled out.
 
TAMIU has one last game before the Christmas break and travel to San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 18 for a matchup against St. Mary's. Opening tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.