Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – SHIMEEK JOHNSON scored a team-high 17 points as St. Edward's defeated Southwestern, 71-46, Monday evening at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
It was Southwestern (0-1) who got the first points on the board when Willie Foreman, Jr. was fouled and he made the ensuing free throws.
 
St. Edward's (2-1) answered with a 14-5 run over the next five minutes, led by two three-pointers from Johnson. JOSEPH SALDANA came off of the bench and hit a three to cap off the rally and give the Hilltoppers a 14-7 lead with 15:01 remaining in the opening half.
 
After jumper by the Pirates' Sean Myers at the 7:49 mark cut the lead to eight, St. Edward's would score the next 12 points led by back-to-back treys from MATT MINER and TYLER FOSTER starting the run and a dunk by HARLEY NUSSMAN highlighted the run.
 
Southwestern showed some fight as they ended the half on an 8-0 run with Michael Cantu canning a half-court shot at the buzzer to make it 37-25 Hilltoppers at the break.
 
In the second half, Johnson came out hot, scoring seven of the first 10 points for St. Edward's, giving them a commanding 47-26 lead in the first five minutes of action. The lead would hover around 20 the rest of the way as Johnson scored nine points in the second half and CHRIS WACKER added eight points off of the bench down the stretch.
 
This game was won off of turnovers and rebounds as St. Edward's scored 32 points off of 26 Pirate turnovers and they outrebounded Southwestern, 45-32.
 
Johnson was 7-of-14 from the field and also pulled down seven rebounds. Wacker totaled 11 points, while Foster added 10. Nussman continues to impress as he narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Tuesday when they host Huston-Tillotson. Tip-off set for 8 p.m. at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live Video and Stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.