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SAN ANTONIO — Junior Melvin Johnson III and sophomore Jeromie Hill combined for 32 points and senior Stephen Franklin was two points shy of a double-double to lead UTSA to a 68-59 exhibition victory against Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday night at the Convocation Center.
Johnson III exploded for 14 second-half points en route to a team-high 18, while Hill had 14 points and seven rebounds. Franklin pulled down a game-high 12 boards to go along with eight points.
The Roadrunners, who improved to 6-0 in exhibition contests under sixth-year head coach Brooks Thompson, forced 25 turnovers with 13 coming off steals. Johnson III tallied six of the thefts, while junior transfer Michael Hale III had a pair to go along with seven points and a game-best nine assists. Fellow junior transfer Kannon Burrage also had two steals and eight points.
Zac Downing led the Savage Storm with a game-high 19 points behind a 4-of-7 night from behind the 3-point line, while Chris Roussell added 11.
UTSA held a 28-19 lead at the break behind 10 first-half points from Hill.
The Savage Storm opened the second with seven unanswered points to pull to within 28-26 just one minute into the half, but the Roadrunners answered with a 15-0 run keyed by a trio of 3-pointers from Johnson III. During the run, UTSA held Southeastern Oklahoma State without a basket for a five and a half minute stretch until Roussell knocked down a jumper at the 13:26 mark.
The lead grew to 20 when senior Sei Paye answered with a trey to make it 48-28 and the Savage Storm would get no closer than nine down the stretch.
The Roadrunners open the regular season at UTEP next Friday, Nov. 11. Tip is set for 8 p.m. (CT) at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso.