BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team placed two athletes on the All-American Southwest Conference teams, released Wednesday.
Eli Beard, a junior guard from Big Sandy, was named ASC Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-ASC. Beard played in all 27 games for the Cru with 15 starts this season. He averaged 18.6 points per contest, ranking fifth in the ASC with 503 total points. Beard also led the conference in three-point percentage (.451) and free throw percentage (.920). He drained 69 three-pointers and made 80 foul shots, adding 111 rebounds, 56 assists and 32 steals. Beard totaled 12 games with 20+ points, scoring a season-high 33 at UT Dallas (Feb. 8).
Josiah Johnson, a senior guard from Big Sandy, was a First Team All-ASC selection. Johnson led the Cru in scoring, totaling 635 points on the season with a 23.5 average. He totaled 23 games with 20+ points this season, including a season-high 41 points against McMurry (Feb. 15). Johnson also broke the conference's scoring record this season and set a new mark with 2,559 points. He also ranked second in the conference in rebounding (9.0 per game) and free throw percentage (.908). Johnson also ranked fourth in the ASC with 3.5 assists per game and 75 three-pointers. He totaled 172 field goals, 216 free throws, 244 rebounds, 95 assists, 51 steals and 14 blocks this season.
UMHB finished the season at 17-10, advancing to the championship game of the ASC tournament.
