Melvin Johnson III poured in a career-high 29 points to lead Texas-San Antonio to its first-ever victory in the NCAA tournament, 70-61 over Alabama State in a first-round matchup Wednesday night in Dayton, Ohio.

Jeromie Hill added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Devin Gibson finished with 10 points for the Roadrunners (20-13), who will play East Region top seed and top-ranked Ohio State on Friday in Cleveland, Ohio.

UTSA won its sixth straight game, and every one of them was needed to prolong its season - starting with a victory over Texas-Arlington in its regular-season finale just to qualify for the Southland Conference tournament, which the Roadrunners won to claim an automatic bid to the NCAA tourney.

Johnson and Gibson fueled a quick start by the Roadrunners, who jumped to a 17-4 lead. UTSA continued to dominate, leading 48-21 at halftime. Alabama State (17-18) tried to make a game of it, closing a 62-41 deficit to 64-55, but the Hornets got no closer.

Tramayne Moorer and Jeffery Middlebrooks led Alabama State with 12 points apiece. Kenderek Washington chipped in with 11 points and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Chris Duncan grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Hornets fell to 0-12 this season when allowing the opposition to score 70 points.