It seems as though the Salukis bought the variety pack of heroes at the grocery store for this season, and guard Shane Hawkins was the package at the top of the box Sunday .

Hawkins shot 62 percent from the floor, and carried the 3-0 Dawgs to a nail-biting victory over Florida Atlantic with his 24 points 16 of them coming in the first half.

Hawkins seemed to have the same look on his face that he had in last season’s NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse when he hit seven of eight three pointers. Against FAU, Hawkins (17 points per game) managed to match that total with his seven of nine effort from behind the arc.

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FAU head coach Kevin Billerman was impressed by Hawkins shooting throughout the game, but seemed unprepared for SIUC’s leading scorer.

Our problem was that we were in a transition defense and we had trouble identifying him, he said. He’s a good shooter because even the one shot when he faked, our guy went flying by him, and then came jumping back that’s a heck of a shot.

Hawkins came out smoking for the Dawgs in the first half. Twice he hit back-to-back three pointer in the half for SIUC, and added a combination of another three-pointers and a free-throw before the conclusion of the half.

As a shooter, when you make the first couple shots, you’re in the zone, he said. It felt like every time I released one, it was going in. With shooting it’s confidence, and once you have that you keep shooting.

During the early stages of the second half, FAU kept Hawkins quiet from behind the arc. Until 12 minutes had passed in the half, all Hawkins could manage was two points off a steal. Then with 7:51 left in the game, Hawkins hit back-to-back three pointers to put the Salukis up 55-53.

Hawkins said the FAU defense made some adjustments, and did a better job defending him in the second half than the first half.

I credit their defense a lot, he said. They switched with every pick, and it was starting to bother me so you gotta credit them.

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SIUC coach Rich Herrin was also impressed by FAU’s defense in the second half against Hawkins.

We tried to get the ball to him on a couple of plays, but they did a heck of a job switching, he said.

Hawkins was modest after the game about playing the role of hero in the victory.

It’s nice to have five guys in double figures, but it may be one guy on a certain night and another the next night, he said. The past couple games it’s been Jaratio (Tucker), and I guess tonight was my turn.

Herrin was pleased to see his guard have a big game, and predicted another big performance against Southeast Missouri State Dec. 14.

Hawkins had a great shooting game. He’s a good player, a good young man, and he’ll probably come out and hit seven of nine again on Thursday, he said. Did you see our guys after Hawkins hit those two (three-pointers in the first half). They wanted him to have the ball.