Harrison and Obekpa Come off the Bench to Key St. John's Win

     Sophomore guard D'Angelo Harrison and freshman forward Chris Obekpa started yesterday's game against Detroit Mercy on the bench thanks to decidedly different circumstances. They would both play vital parts in what would become a 77-74 win for St. John's.  For Harrison, concerns about his approach to practice and the game were put aside as he scored a game high 22 points and in the second 20 minutes lifted St. John's offense with just the right mix of aggressiveness to take the game over, and poise to make the right play even when someone else scored.

              The reason for Obekpa's early seat  on the bench was more typical. After all, the talented 6'9" freshman faced stiff competition for a starting position from classmates Jakar Sampson whose offensive repitoire is considered further along than Obekpa's and from Christian Jones, a less heralded prospect who has emerged quickly and shown a potentially lethal combination of strength and skill.

              Before a small but enthusiastic mid-day crowd that welcomed back St. John's greatest player Chris Mullin, as well as its former coach and fellow Marine Park resident Fran Fraschilla, the Titans were the first of the two teams to find its footing offensively. Behind veteran guards Ray McCallum and Jason Calliste they used a late rally to take a 37-29 lead at the intermission as tjey picked apart St. JJohn's man to man defense with penetration and ball movement. For St. John's even as Phil Greene kept the Red Storm within shouting distance with terrific shooting on the way to a career high 20 points, the lack of ball movement and balance appeared to be sure signs of trouble.

              In the second half it was Jones who provided the first  offensive push,  He found a cutting D'angelo Harrison with a perfect post pass for a basket, scored in close and made one of two free throws. Then it was Amir Garrett's turn to key an offensive spark. Coach Steve Lavin singled out Garret's "balanced floor game" and on offense that manifested itself in scoring not only with an improved jumper but by cutting and screening and effectively playing off guards Harrison and Greene.

              While McCollum and Calliste continued to hold St. John's at bay Obekpa helped keep them within striking distance with record setting basket protection (8 blocks) and terrific rebounding (12 boards)

              Harrison would provide the final push not only with his scoring but with his playmaking in addition to clutch shots he set up Garret for the two free throws that tied the game at 60 hit the jumper that gave St. John's its first lead of the second half 62-60 and after Detroit tied it again. he scored 5 consecutive points and assisted on a basket by Sir Dominic Pointer in a sequence that would give St. John's the lead for good.  In the final push Obekpa used his shooting touch to put a final exlamation point on his great effort, hitting a 15 foot jumper with 1:21 left to make the score 69-64 and hold the Titans at bay.

              St. John's will now play the College of Charleston on Thursday at 5pm. in the opening round of the Charleston Classic.