AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's turned away a ton of charity against Midwestern State Friday night at the Recreation and Convocation Center as the Hilltoppers clanked 26 of the their free throws.

But the Hilltoppers were able to force to critical turnover in the closing minute to come with a 79-76 win at the St. Edward's Shootout.

"We had a lot of chances, but those two big turnovers at the end of the game hurt," MSU coach Jeff Ray said. "We should have had this one, but we let it slip away."

St. Edward's junior Taylor Mullenax came away with two steals in the final 21 seconds as the Hilltoppers were able to overcome missing their last six of seven free throws over the final 39 seconds.

The turnovers stripped the Mustangs of two key possessions to cut into an built on SEU forward Daniel Pierre's attempt a tradition three-point play to give St. Edward's a 78-76 advantage with 39 seconds to play.

Pierre would miss the ensuing free throw, but would a return after he was fouled while a going a loose ball on MSU's next possession. He would make the back end of the double bonus to give St. Edward's a 79-76 lead with 21 ticks left on the clock.

But the St. Edward's pressure resulted in a pair of steals by Mullenax to allow the Hilltoppers to survive.

"We had two critical turnovers against the pressure," Ray said. "Those are turnovers you can't make. You have to at least get a shot on the other end. We're just not getting it done."

The Mustangs attacked the basket to key a 9-0 surge midway through the second as they turned a 60-56 deficit into a 65-60 lead after Chris Davis canned a pair of free throws with 7:30 remaining.

Senior forward Christopher Reay got the rally started with a pair of inside basketball before Earl Rabb added a driving lay up to add to the spurt.

But St. Edward's turned up the pressure to earn a win in its opener.

Midwestern State's Nolan Richardson IV led all scorers with 17 points including 8-of-10 from the free-throw line, while Davis and Michael Godwin added 12 each.

The Mustangs committed 35 personal fouls as Reay and Godwin fouled out.

St. Edward's preseason All-American Shawn Weinstein and Pierre led the Hilltoppers with 15 points each, while Pierre added 10 rebounds.

The Mustangs close the shootout against Texas A&M International Saturday at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for 3:15 p.m.