San Antonio – Freshman Kevin Kotzur scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds in his collegiate debut, helping St. Mary’s University to open the 2009-2010 season with a 74-65 win against the University of St. Thomas in non-conference men’s basketball action Sunday afternoon at Bill Greehey Arena.

Kotzur (Fr., La Vernia, Texas) hit on 6-of-6 shots from the field and 4-of-5 shots from the free throw line to pick up 16 points in his first game as a collegiate player. Kotzur was a member of the Rattlers in 2008-2009, but red-shirted. Curtis Mitchell (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a team-high 18 points and dished out five assists in the game.

The Rattlers outshot and outrebounded the Celtics throughout, but nine three-point basketball by St. Thomas kept them in the game until late. With 3:48 left in the game, a Travis Lampley layup cut the Rattler lead to just four at 69-65. But the Rattlers held the Celtics scoreless the rest of the way, while Mitchell and Jeff Campbell (So., Allen, Texas) combined to hit on five-of-six free throws to clinch the victory.

As a team, the Rattlers hit on 49.1 percent (27-55) of their shots from the field in the game. They also outrebounded the Celtics 43-25. St. Thomas made just 40.0 percent (24-60) of its shots from the field and 32.1 percent (9-28) of shots from three-point range.

Brad Hubenak (Fr., Kennedale, Texas) also had a strong collegiate debut with nine points, nine rebounds and three assists. Aaron Thomas (So., San Antonio) reached double figures with 10 points and three assists. Patrick Graves led the Celtics with 14 points, one of four players for UST to reach double figures in scoring.

With the win, the Rattlers improved to 1-0 this season, while St. Thomas fell to 2-2. St. Mary’s will return to action on Wednesday, when they travel to Wichita Falls, Texas, to face Midwestern State University in a non-conference matchup, starting at 7 p.m.

St. Mary’s 74, St. Thomas 65

At Bill Greehey Arena, San Antonio, TX

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