Times wires
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
DAYTON, Ohio — Melvin Johnson III insists he's in a deep shooting slump.
Oh, really?
The smooth guard with "SWISH" scrawled on the side of each orange shoe had a career-high 29 points Wednesday night, leading Texas-San Antonio to a 70-61 victory over Alabama State in the "First Four" round.
"It seems like the last four or five games, I can't make a shot," Johnson said. "I have 'SWISH' on the side of my shoes because I used to make shots. I might have to black it out for now."
No need to edit the footwear, not after that NCAA Tournament debut.
The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which likely won't allow all those open shots.
"No. 31, if he's on like he was tonight, it should be a pretty good game," Alabama State's Jeff Middlebrooks said.
Against the Hornets (17-18), Johnson seemed to capitalize on every opening. The sophomore had a career high in the first half alone, when he outscored Alabama State 25-21.
Middlebrooks and Tramayne Moorer had 12 points apiece for Alabama State, which had the worst record in the expanded 68-team tournament.
"We let a guy get 25 points in the first half," Moorer said. "He outscored us!"
The Roadrunners had never won an NCAA Tournament game of any sort. Now, they have reason to raise a banner in their 4,080-seat UTSA Convocation Center.
"Our first win in an NCAA Tournament game in any sport; we're very proud to be in this moment," coach Brooks Thompson said.
Might as well let Johnson pick the spot to place the banner.
The 6-foot-5 guard scored off drives to the hoop and made fall-away jumpers from all over the court. He was 8-of-14 from the field in the first half, making one fewer field goal than all the Hornets combined.
"Johnson got good look after good look, and he also made some tough shots," Hornets coach Lewis Jackson said. "He got on a roll and it trickled down to everybody else."
Johnson also got to shoot four free throws after two technicals on the Hornets. He made them all.
UTSA's front line took control during a 17-4 opening run that put the scent of a blowout in University of Dayton Arena. The Roadrunners got 14 of the first 18 rebounds, repeatedly giving themselves second chances after a miss.
Johnson made a 3 that built the lead to 31-13. Next time down the court, he was feeling so comfortable that he quickly got off a long 3 that came up short of the rim for one of his few misses.
While a smattering of Alabama State fans chanted "Air Ball," Johnson turned away and smiled. So did Thompson, who couldn't blame him for shooting away.