St. Edward’s basketball finish regular season, both teams to play in Heartland Conference Tournament

The St. Edward’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will play March 3-6, in the Heartland Conference Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After dramatic regular season finales, the St. Edward’s University women’s and men’s basketball teams are both heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament from March 3-6.

Games will be available through links at GoHilltoppers.com.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The St. Edward’s women’s basketball team lost 63-35 to the No. 7 Newman University on Feb. 27. Head Coach J.J Riehl told St. Edward’s Athletics that they needs to get back to playing in their style of play.

Throughout the season, several underclassmen grew more comfortable in their positions, allowing the team to find a rhythm. With only one senior Ateh Ade, this year seemed like a rebuilding year that could be more promising in the future.

Finishing with a 10-16 overall record and 8-10 conference record, the women’s basketball finished their season as the sixth seed heading into the conference championship.

Not letting past struggles and losses define them, Riehl has said several times throughout the season, that team needs to bounce back and move forward.

St. Edward’s will play Texas A&M-International on March 3 at 5:00 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

After the St. Edward’s men’s basketball team’s close 71-70 loss to Newman University on Feb. 27, Head Coach Andre Cook emphasized his frustration of losing four different games by one point to St. Edward’s Athletics.

Late into the season, this veteran team was taken aback when senior point guard Frank Mgbolu was injured. His absence throughout the rest of the season has allowed for different starting rotations.

The men’s basketball team finished the regular season with a 17-11 overall record and a 10-10 conference record, landing them the fifth seed slot for the conference championship.

The team is set to play against Texas A&M-International on March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

“We have to look forward to the tournament,” Cook said to St. Edward’s Athletics. “Someone is going to win three games in Tulsa, and we have as good of a chance as anyone to do it.”