January 10, 2011
DALLAS – Clutch free-throw shooting helped the Rattlers close out a tight game Monday, as they eased past Dallas Baptist 70-63 at the Burg Center to remain perfect in Heartland Conference play.
Kevin Kotzur (So., La Vernia, Texas) led St. Mary’s with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Orta (So., San Antonio) had 16 points and Jeremy Fonteneaux (Jr., DeSoto, Texas) scored 12.
Tied at 54-54 with just under six minutes left, the Rattlers went on a 12-4 tear – thanks largely to their poise at the charity stripe.
Going 10 for 10 at the line down the stretch, St. Mary’s scored 10 of its final 16 points on free throws. Orta led the way with a 9-for-10 showing, helping the Rattlers (9-5, 3-0 Heartland Conference) finish 17 for 20 in the game.
Lamb Autrey (Jr., Cibolo, Texas) added seven points and nine rebounds.
St. Mary’s led 31-27 at the half and never trailed by more than two points. Meanwhile, the victory handed Dallas Baptist (8-5 overall) a defeat in its first conference game of the season.