SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Behind senior guard Shawn Johnson's career night and the Cardinals shooting 52 percent from the floor in a 46-30 second half, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won their second-straight game, 83-71, Wednesday evening over HBU.
 
Johnson finished with a career-high 17 rebounds and matching his career high of 28 points, set last season against Rice. He also had four assists and three blocks in 36 minutes. The New Orleans native had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds at halftime.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
In a first half which saw 10 lead changes and three ties, HBU (6-24 overall, 2-15 SLC) jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, forcing UIW (7-20, 2-15) to take a timeout less than four minutes into the game. The Cardinals answered, as Johnson had a pair of offensive rebounds and four points to cut the deficit to 10-6.
 
UIW continued to chip away at the deficit until Johnson's three-pointer gave UIW its first lead of the game, 15-14, with 13:23 left in the opening half.
 
With the game tied at 19-all, Simi Socks sent in a beautiful alley-oop pass that ended with a thunderous dunk from Johnson to give the Cardinals a two-point lead, 21-19, with 10:42 left in the half, but HBU re-took the lead on a three-pointer from Jalon Gates.
 
After an Ian DuBose layup gave the Huskies a 29-28 lead with seven minutes to go, Socks hit a three-pointer which sparked a 7-0 run to take a 35-29 lead with 5:31 remaining in the half, culminated by a Christian Peevy steal and free throws. But HBU regrouped and closed the half outscoring the Cardinals, 10-0, as Philip McKenzie hit a jumper as time expired to give the Huskies a 41-37 halftime lead.
 
Similar to the first half, UIW came out of the locker room slow, as HBU increased its lead to nine following a DuBose triple two minutes into the second half.
 
Still leading by seven, 52-45, four minutes into the frame, UIW scored the next eight points to take the lead it would not relinquish the remainder of the game, as Sam Burmeister forced a steal and made a fastbreak layup to give the Cardinals a 53-52 lead with 12:44 left in regulation. Johnson forced a charge with the Cardinals leading by six, 58-52, and Peevy had a putback dunk to increase the UIW lead to 10, 62-52, with 10:36 remaining. The Cardinals shot an astounding 52 percent (16-for-31) in the second half while holding the Huskies to 32 percent (9-for-28).
 
LEADERS

It wasn't just the Johnson Show, as Keaton Hervey came off the bench to score 15 points, which was the most since he dropped 17 at Abilene Christian earlier this month. Charles Brown III finished with 11 points, while Peevy had seven points and seven rebounds, one board shy of his season high set against UMKC back in December. UIW outscored the Huskies, 44-24, in points in the paint.
 
Both DuBose and Braxton Bonds led HBU with 16 points apiece. UIW held touted freshman, David Caraher, to eight points, as he scored 22 against the Cardinals last month in Houston.
 
QUOTES

Shawn Johnson on his performance:
"Coach was yelling and something just clicked where I was like, 'I have to get some buckets for the team.' So that's what happened. I wanted it, so I just went out and got it."
 
On the tempo of the game tonight:
"HBU plays fast and we like to play fast, too. We can score when we're ready and can get going."
 
On Saturday being Senior Day:
"I'm happy and proud that I made it through college. It's touching because I know a lot of people aren't able to finish it; it's difficult. I stuck with it and I'm glad I made it."
 
On his future plans:
"I have one more semester in engineering and I'll graduate in December. I'm going to continue working out every day. I'll work until I can't work anymore. I plan to play pro ball."
 
UP NEXT

UIW looks to close the season on a three-game winning streak when it hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday, Mar. 3 at 3 p.m., or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's 1 p.m. start against the Wildcats. It will be Senior Day for Shawn Johnson, Sam Burmeister, Devin Wyatt, Simi Socks, and Marek Hulva.


To purchase tickets, contact UIW Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.