HOUSTON – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas returned to their winning ways Sunday as they defeated visiting Southwestern (Texas) 83-69.​

At UST's Jerabeck Center, Freddie Ricks III (Cypress, Texas / Cypress Springs) scored a game-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting to lead the Celts to their 14th win in 15 games this season.

Austin Arnold (Katy, Texas / Taylor) scored 13 points off the UST bench, which included four 3-pointers in the second half. Christian Alaekwe (Fresno, Texas / Hightower) scored 12 points off the UST bench.

With the win, the Celts maintained the top spot in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 7-1 conference record; UST has a half-game lead over second-place Texas Lutheran.

The Celts trailed 42-38 at halftime but clawed their way back into the game with several small runs throughout the second half. A 6-0 run early in the second half reclaimed a 46-44 lead for the Celts with 17:29 remaining in the period.

UST pulled away for good late in the second half with a 15-3 run that saw the Celts go 5-for-5 from 3-point range between 8:08 and 4:26 marks of the period. Arnold hit all four of his 3-pointers during that span as the Celts turned a five-point lead into an 80-63 advantage. Cameron Gims (Cypress, Texas / Cy-Fair) added the other 3-pointer for the Celts during the run.

As a team, the Celts shot 52 percent (11 of 21) from 3-point range during the game; they were 8-of-15 (53 percent) from the arc during the second half.

The Celts now turn their attention to Centenary (La.), their homecoming opponent on Saturday, Jan. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Jerabeck Athletic and Activity Center.