Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 6, 2017) – Down 10 points in the final four minutes, Oklahoma Christian did all the right things to tie its basketball game Saturday afternoon against St. Edward's (Texas), but the breaks went against the Eagles in the final seconds.

James Taylor scored with 36.3 seconds left and Landon Goesling hit two free throws with 12.1 seconds left to provide the winning margin for St. Edward's as the Hilltoppers hung on for an 85-81 win in the Eagles' Nest. The Hilltoppers went a sizzling 8 of 11 from 3-point range in the second half, which proved to be the difference.

OC (5-9, 1-2 Heartland Conference) trailed 78-68 with four minutes left before Elijah Strickland hit the first of what would be three 3-pointers in a two-minute span. The last one, at the 1:33 mark, pulled the Eagles within 81-79 and senior Abel Rodriguez followed with his only basket of the game, a 16-foot baseline jumper that tied the game with 57 seconds left.

Taylor's basket put St. Edward's (12-4, 2-2) back ahead, but he missed an and-one free throw. At the other end, Strickland drove the lane but missed a short runner. He rebounded but was undercut and officials called him for a turnover.

Will Lienhard fouled Goesling, who made his two free throws. The Eagles missed three shots in the final seconds.

But the close call against one of the conference's top teams, two days after OC knocked off No. 4-ranked (and previously unbeaten) Arkansas-Fort Smith, has set a new level of expectation for the program, OC coach Cory Cole said.

"It was a good, program-changing weekend for us," Cole said. "We went 1-1 but I think we got a lot better than our record. No easy games in the Nest.

"We knew we were going to get their best shot and we fought with those guys for 40 minutes. They shot lights out and on a lot of those threes that they hit, we couldn't have played better defense. You've got to give them a lot of credit."

The game was competitive throughout, as the lead changed 17 times and the score was tied 12 times. St. Edward's entered the game leading the Heartland in scoring at 93.1 points per game, but the Eagles – playing without starting center Miroslav Jaksic, out with a sprained ankle – more than held their own inside and led the Hilltoppers 39-38 at halftime.

A steal and dunk by forward Roderick Smith – who had 19 points and 10 rebounds for OC – put the Eagles up 48-41 with 17:24 left, but three 3-pointers by the Hilltoppers in a 76-second span (two of them by Sean Watkins, who went 5 of 6 from behind the arc, tying his career high for made 3s) tied the game at 50-50 with 15:55 left.

The Hilltoppers' long-range barrage continued, and Watkins – who led St. Edward's with 17 points – hit his final 3-pointer during an 11-0 run that gave them the 78-68 lead.

OC's four inside players each played well. In addition to Smith, Lienhard just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds (five offensive), freshman forward Larry Kuimi had eight points and Rodriguez hit the huge late basket for the Eagles. They combined to block five shots.

"Our depth is one of our biggest assets," Cole said. "We needed it today, being a man down. You didn't see a dropoff. You saw a step up. Rod was fantastic. I thought Will had his best offensive and defensive game he's had in the last three or four weeks and Larry gave us a lift again as a starter and made some really tough finishes around the basket. … Abel made a big play for a senior."

In the backcourt, Strickland and Charles Shaw each scored 15 points while Jordan Box had 10. Taylor had 16 points for St. Edward's, while Lucas Doria had 13 points and nine rebounds. Corey Shervill and former OC forward Dorian Lopez each scored 12 points for St. Edward's.

Five of OC's next six games – all against league foes – will be away from home, starting with a trip Thursday to Texas A&M International and next Saturday to St. Mary's (Texas).

"Next week's road trip will be a big, signature road trip for the Eagles," Cole said. "We've got two tough games against two tough teams. We've got to go on the road and play well."

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCRQ6jSCqo&feature=youtu.be

Game highlights, courtesy of Eagle Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBOC_olzx_0&feature=youtu.be