AUSTIN, Texas (Jan. 12, 2019) – Down two starters and playing a basketball team ranked in the top 10 in NCAA Division II, Oklahoma Christian could have been excused for not making a game of it on Saturday afternoon at St. Edward's (Texas).

Instead – even after falling behind by 15 points early – the Eagles clawed and scrapped their way back and made No. 6 St. Edward's have to grind for a 64-57 win at the Recreation and Convocation Center.

"We came out focused and locked in," OC coach Cory Cole said. "Shots didn't fall early and toughness kept us in it. We had more bright spots than not this afternoon. I'm proud of our fight, being shorthanded and still having a chance to win. The score was the only thing we came up short in today. We played hard, executed and played some defense."

Indeed the Eagles did. St. Edward's (15-1, 4-0 Heartland Conference) entered the game fifth in Division II in scoring at 91.4 points per game, but posted its second-lowest point total of the season against OC (5-9, 0-3). Using only nine players, the Eagles limited the Hilltoppers to a season-low 30.6-percent shooting (19 of 62) and outrebounded St. Edward's 49-44.

Despite the absence of leading scorer Jordan Box and another starter, Brian Carey, the Eagles were within two points midway through the second half and five points with two minutes to play before a three-point play by Ashton Spears with 1:44 left gave the Hilltoppers some breathing room.

"Give St. Edward's credit – they made the plays then they had to," Cole said.

August Hass and Spears (who scored 15 points) each hit a pair of free throws in the final 37.4 seconds to seal the win for St. Edward's, but OC's gritty performance drew praise from St. Edward's coach Andre Cook.

"Credit Oklahoma Christian. They're down two guys, (including) Jordan Box, one of the best players they have in their program," Cook said. "They came out and played hard. We just thought we were going to show up. … (They) came out and played harder. They had a better plan. They were coached better. We weren't very good."

OC's primary issue was its shooting, as the Eagles connected on only 30.3 percent (20 of 66) from the field, including 22.2 percent (6 of 27) from 3-point range. The Eagles also committed 19 turnovers.

The Eagles made only one of their first 13 shots and trailed 19-4 nine minutes into the game. Aubrey Johnson, who led OC with 18 points, hit two 3-pointers and a two-pointer in a 9-0 run that closed the gap.

St. Edward's extended its lead to 35-18 on consecutive 3-pointers by Ryan Garza (17 points) and Corey Sherville, the latter 1:08 before halftime, but 3-pointers by Roderick Smith and Johnson in the final 53 seconds of the half made it 35-24.

OC used another 9-0 run – which included two baskets each by Marcus Blackwell and Johnson – to pull within 43-41 with 9:38 left. Garza hit a 3-pointer to start a 7-0 spurt by the Hilltoppers, who built their lead back to 11 points, but OC made one final push. A dunk by Will Lienhard and two free throws by Smith cut OC's deficit to 57-52 with 3:21 left.

Lienhard, who leads Division II in rebounds per game, grabbed 12, while Smith posted a double-double (his second straight and his fifth of the season) with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Blackwell scored 12 points for the Eagles.

Former OC player Dorian Lopez went 2 of 12 from the field but had 12 rebounds to lead the Hilltoppers in that category.

After starting their Heartland schedule with three straight road games, the Eagles will finally get to host a league opponent on Thursday, when Texas A&M International will visit the Eagles' Nest.

"We're ready to be back in the Nest and have our home conference opener in front of our fans and continue to push to get better," Cole said. "This team continues to get better. We are going to finish strong and together."