Senior guard Alex Schmitt (Waconia, Minn.) shot 50 percent (25-for-50) from the field and averaged 20.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as SJU improved to 8-1 (3-1 MIAC) with a 3-0 record last week. He was named the MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week, for the first time in his career, for his performance.
He led all scorers with 20 points, 10 points in each half, as SJU ended its non-conference schedule with a 5-0 record thanks to a 77-60 win Dec. 7 at Minnesota-Morris. Schmitt then chipped in 15 points and added five rebounds as the Johnnies snapped a three-game losing streak at Hamline's Hutton Arena with an 83-70 win over the Pipers Dec. 9.
Schmitt saved his best for last, however, with a season-high 27 points and four assists as SJU handed Bethel its first loss of the season Dec. 12, 89-78 in overtime. The Johnnies started overtime with a 9-0 run that included two three-pointers from Schmitt, who tallied his fourth 20-point game of the season and 15th of his career.
Schmitt currently leads the MIAC in scoring (18.2 ppg.) and three-pointers (26), and needs 23 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
The Johnnies travel to face Division II Concordia-St. Paul for an exhibition game on Wednesday, Dec. 30, before returning to MIAC play against Saint Mary's on Saturday, Jan. 2, in Collegeville.
