Freshman D'angelo Harrison tied his career high with 21 points, scoring 17 of them in the second half to rally St. John's to a 66-61 come from behind win over Texas Pan-American last night at Carnesecca Arena.
To their credit the Broncs played nearly the entire game dictating both pace and style. On offense, they used a patient perimeter attack moving the ball effectively against St. John's zone defense and connecting on twice as many three point shots (10) as St. John's (5). Defensively they made a choice to eschew the pursuit of offensive rebounds in favor of retreating on defense and taking away St. John's transition game. The strategy worked as they took a 32-24 lead into halftime and extended that to 12 when Earl Jefferson laid in a pass from Josh Cleveland.
At that point. Harrison demonstrated why St. John's coaching staff continues to have confidence in his shooting even as he goes through what can be described as typical freshman struggles. "He's our designated shooter," assistant coach Mike Dunlap said. "Whether it's well beyond the three point arc or on top of it we're happy to have him shoot it." Harrison rewarded that confidence with a personal 10-0 scoring run that drew St. John's to within 44-42 with 11:19 to go.
The Broncs were able to stave off St. John's surge for a while longer with the ability to make clutch three's and use the back door play as a pressure release when St. John's defense got too aggressive. The Red Storm would not take their first second half lead until Sir'Dominic Pointer, who seems to be in the middle of every rally with hustle plays, converted a pass from Phil Greene to make the score 57-55. Pan American would respond, opening a 4 point advantage with just 3:45 left when Jared Maree and Brandon Provost buried consecutive 3's.
Those baskets would be the last points for the Broncs. A basket by God'sGift Achiuwa with 1:36 left trimmed the deficit to 2 and then after the Red Storm didn't score on two possessions, they went to their home run hitter and Harrison delivered with a long trey and with 36 seconds left St. John's had the lead for good. A moment later Moe Harkless atoned for two missed free throws with a steal and dunk that extended that lead to 64-61. Two more free throws by Harrison and terrific man to man defense which coach Dunlap said they went to extensively in the second half, helped salt away the win.
Almost lost in the hype surrounding Harrison's shooting heroics and the debut of Amir Garrett, was a terrific 22 point 9 rebound effort by Achiuwa. Garrett was thrown right into the fray, entering the game at the 13:22 mark, playing 15 minutes scoring 3 points and adding two boards. His first point came on a first half free throw and his first field goal was a dunk assisted by Achiuwa.
When asked about the decision to play Garrett, coach Dunlap not only cited the 6'6" lefty's talent but the promise Garrett had kept. "We had an opportunity (by playing him) to let him know that we appreciated who he is and what he's done for our program by showing loyalty in a tough situation." Dunlap said.
He could have added that as the Big East season begins on Monday against Providence, they'll need his energy, toughness and selflessness to help them through a schedule that is extraordinarily tough.
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