Box Score The Basics                                  
-Score: Newman 85, St. Edward's 92
-Records: St. Edward's 18-14, 7-7 HC: Newman 20-6, 9-5 HC
-Location: Austin, Texas (Recreation and Convocation Center)
 
How It Happened
-The game started fast with a lot of scoring early on. SHIMEEK JOHNSON scored 12 of his season high 38 points to help St. Edward's jump out to an early 20-12 lead with just under 14 minutes remaining.
-Newman went on a 13-5 run for the games first tie, 25-25 halfway through the first period.
-Johnson took advantage of three-point play that gave the Hilltoppers the 35-33 lead. Johnson then followed by sinking a trey from downtown for a five point Hilltopper lead.
-Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half and St. Edwards gained the upper hand at the break, leading 50-45.
-The Jets outscored the Hilltoppers 10-4 during the first five minutes of play during the second half to take the one point lead 55-54, with just over 15 minutes left.
-St. Edward's and Newman went back and forth until Connor Kjer and Johnson combined for seven-straight Hilltopper points and the 71-63 lead with 8:22 left in the contest.
Newman cut the deficit to 76-74, but Johnson answered with one of his four buckets from downtown.
-The Hilltoppers drained 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory, 92-85.
 
Beyond the Box Score
-The 18 total wins this season are the most since the 2007-08 season. It is also the most wins that head coach Andre Cook has had in his four-year tenure at St. Edward's. And with four-straight wins to end the season and the final two victories against the top two teams in the conference.
-SHIMEEK JOHNSON led the team and is fourth in the Heartland Conference with 17.8 points per game. Johnson was also fourth in the conference in rebounding grabbing 6.8 rebounds per game.
-The Hilltoppers honored four seniors playing in their final game for St. Edward's. The seniors include, JEFF CAMPBELL, ZAC GRAHAM, SHIMEEK JOHNSON, and JOSEPH SALDANA.
 
In the Huddle
Head Coach Andre Cook on his overall thoughts for the game:
-“I am proud of the way my guys played tonight. We have really played great basketball the last few weeks of the season. To beat the top two teams in the league this weekend is a great way to finish. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to get us in the conference tournament.
 
On the performance of SHIMEEK JOHNSON
-“Shimeek played like a man possessed today. I am thrilled for him that he and our three other seniors we able to finish on such a high note.”
 
2012-13 Heartland Conference Men's Basketball Standings
Team                                                      Conference             Overall
UA Fort Smith                                    10-4                     15-11
Newman                                             9-5                       20-6
St. Mary's                                           9-5                       19-7
TAMU-International                         8-6                      15-11
St. Edward's                                       7-7                      18-14
Dallas Baptist                                     7-7                       11-15
UT-Permian Basin                             5-9                       10-15
Panhandle State                                1-13                     5-23
McMurry                                            0-0                       17-9
Oklahoma Christian                          0-0                       16-10
 
Up Next
The Hilltoppers close the season with an 18-14 overall record and a 7-7 Heartland Conference Record.