DePaul Hands St. John's A Damaging Loss 79-71

   Part of the 2018-19 pre-season narrative for St. John’s went something like this, “St. John’s is better but the league is also a little down and St. John’s will have a chance to make some noise…” With last night’s 79-71 loss at Carnesecca Arena to DePaul, the script of a strong early season followed by struggles in league play is more reminiscent of last season than many would like.

      Yes, Shamorie Ponds, the Big East’s third leading scorer and leading assist man, was absent, and yes DePaul is clearly better than a year ago. Even with those too important caveats in mind this is still a bad loss, especially for a team that needs success in the Big East schedule to offset a weak non-conference slate of games.

   DePaul led by just 31-30 as the second half began and briefly surrendered that lead when Mustapha Heron connected on a jumper to open the proceedings. From there DePaul attacked and owned the area around the rim. And for a guy like yours truly who follows local basketball it was especially disheartening that the guy who did the most damage was Femi Olujobi, whose basketball journey began at Brentwood High on Long Island and who arrived at DePaul as a graduate transfer this past summer.  He bruised and battered the smaller Johnnies for 27 points and 11 rebounds. His partner in the paint Paul Rand, who brings less girth but more length to the table and the motor to keep from being boxed out had a double double of his own with 18 points and 11 boards. The Blue Demons’ success getting the ball inside, and the disparity it created at the free throw line 28-6 in favor caused coach Chris Mullin to draw a technical foul. With his team trailing 62-56 when the tech stopped the action, the visitors responded with an 8-2 run that was capped by a Max Strus three-pointer with 3:30 left in the game.  It was the only trifecta DePaul made in the second half (in just 5 tries) and, oh by the way Strus had a double double too with 16 points and 12 boards.

        Mullin placed blame for the loss, St. John’s 3^rd in 5 conference games squarely on himself saying “…. I’ll be back tomorrow going for the jugular”.  With or without Ponds they will have to bring a more sustained level of intensity against Creighton. While the Jays do not have the same physicality inside as the Demons, they remain a tough and smart team that gives themselves a chance to win every time they compete. It’s early in the Big East schedule but the Johnnies need to gain some traction quickly before a possible NCAA tourney bid slips from their grasp.