SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Rattlers welcomed back Brad Hubenak for his first extended action of the season after recovering from an injury and saw a big night once again from newcomer Daryell Taylor, but came up short in a five-point loss to Angelo State, 68-63.

St. Mary’s (4-2) began the start of the game in its usual way: in the lead. The Rattlers led by as much as 11 over the Rams (5-2) and closed out the first half with a five-point lead with an impressive 50-percent field-goal percentage.

But the Rattlers and the Rams seemed to have switched positions in the second half, and the Rams began to close in on the Rattlers, much like it was vice versa in the first half. Angelo State held St. Mary’s scoreless for the first five minutes of the half and pulled ahead 41-40. The Rattlers contended the Rams but never regained their lead and fell to a 10-point deficit with five minutes left in the game. St. Mary’s regrouped and was down two with a minute left in the game. But a foul in the bonus crept the Rams’ lead up to three with 21 seconds left, and a dunk with five seconds remaining stung the Rattlers, sending them to their second loss of the season.

Hubenak (Jr., Kennedale, Texas) brought home eight points in his own road opener, sinking 3 of 5 shots from the floor as well as one assist. Playing only 11 minutes, Hubenak is easing his way back into the Rattlers after an injury cut his season short last year. He made his season debut in a home victory over Dallas Christian earlier this week.

Along with Hubenak, newcomer Taylor (Jr., Houston) has been an asset to the Rattlers from the start of the season. Now a regular starter, Taylor had the game-high of 18 points, going 8 for 11 from the field. Along with points, Taylor led the team in steals with three and had one assist.

Known as the powerhouse of the Rattlers since his first season, Kevin Kotzur (RS-Jr., La Vernia, Texas) added 20 points and eight rebounds to the stats.

St. Mary’s has its next chance to break in its new team against the University of Indianapolis in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.

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