Simon Double Doubles His (And St. John's) Pleasure for 2nd Straight Win

     St. John’s combined a balanced scoring effort that featured 4 double figure scorers and a defensive effort that saw them force 21 turnovers and out rebound Central Connecticut for a convincing 80-55 win over the Blue Devils at Carnesecca Arena last night.

      Shamorie Ponds paced the Johnnies with a game high 21 points.  He combined with transfer Justin Simon, whose first career double double included 12 points and 11 rebounds to not only set the pace scoring but provide a needed spark on the glass for a team that will go into most of its games giving up size and strength under the basket.

            “Justin and Shamorie had 11 and 9”, Coach Chris Mullin said of their rebounding effort. “I’ve asked them to get in the paint and help our bigs to help get rebounds that get over their heads when they’re being pushed under the basket.” Their effort helped the Red Storm to 38-29 rebounding advantage, a complete change from their opening night win against New Orleans Friday Night.

            Once again Simon’s early efforts helped jump start St. John’s attack. CCSU took a brief lead 11-9 when they connected on their first 5 shots.  Simon and the Johnnies countered with a 10-0 run with the athletic 6’4” wing flying in for a tip basket and converting on the first of three baskets from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils stayed close thanks to continued good shooting as guards Tyson Batiste and Shakaris Laney connected on triples. But with St. John’s leading 21-17 they went on a 20-2 run over 6 minutes and gave themselves a 41-19 edge. During the run St. John’s got another offensive boost from freshman guard Bryan Trimble, who for the second straight game proved to be a valuable scoring option off the bench.  He scored all 8 of his points in that stretch on two treys and a long 2-point basket.

            “That’s what we ask him to do,” Simon said of Trimble’s shooting. “It’s a great spark off the bench for us.”

     St. John’s took a 43-27 advantage to the intermission.  From there CCSU trimmed the deficit to 11 but each time the Blue Devils shooting got them to within shouting distance St. John’s had an answer. Marcus Lovett scored all of his 15 points in the second half to help keep the Blue Devils at arm’s length.

Other Notes and Observations

1.      CCSU assistant coach Mike Witcoske filled in for absent head coach Donyell Marshall who, along with assistant Anthony Anderson, is suspended pending an investigation of what was termed a “personnel matter”. Ironically Chris Mullin said that he scheduled the game in part for a chance to coach against his former Warriors teammate.

2.      CCSU brought with them three players with local ties.  Jersey City freshman Kashaun Hicks who prepped at MacDuffie (MA) School` contributed 3 points in limited minutes while seniors Shakaris Laney of St. Benedict’s (NJ) Prep and Mustafa Jones of Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx contributed 6 and 13 points respectively.

Juco big man Deion Bute scored 19 points and added 9 rebounds for the Blue Devils.

Up next for St. John’s is a Thursday tilt against Big 10 foe Nebraska in the annual Gavitt games, that annual honor the Big East’s founding Commissioner. Tip off at Carnesecca Arena is at 6:30 pm.