Perhaps
it was the dreariness of a cold and rainy Sunday that caused St. John’s and
Wagner to start so slowly in yesterday’s game at Carnesecca Arena. In the post-game
presser coach Chris Mullin put his finger on what was happening. “Nothing stuck
out to me that we were doing very well or very bad. I felt like we were
participating and not competing…. we started the game out pretty good but then
we let Wagner get comfortable.”
For the visitors
from Staten Island “comfortable” meant trailing by just one at the half (29-28)
thanks to tough inside work from forward AJ Sumbry and outside scoring from Chase
Freeman who connected on a couple of first have treys. When guard Romone Saunders
opened the second half with a two-pointer to give Wagner a lead the momentum of
the game seemed to turn on a dime and change completely.
Shamorie Ponds,
had one of his 14 assists when he hit LJ Figueroa in rhythm for a 3-pointer.
The pass and shot began an 18-2 run that helped the Johnnies seize control of
the proceedings and earn a 73-58 win over the Seahawks. Ponds set the pace as he has all year committing
just one turnover and adding to the impressive assist total 16 points and 9
rebounds. He shot an efficient 4-7 from the field and made all 6 of his free
throws. The margin and his coach’s desire to keep him healthy kept him from achieving
St. John’s first triple double since the artist formerly known as Ron Artest did
it against Seton Hall in 1999.
Ponds’
response to being taken out was typical of the player and person Red Storm fans
have gotten to know and enjoy for these three seasons. “I wasn’t upset. I wanted to get it (the
triple double) but I know where coach is coming from. He did not want me to get
hurt.”
Ponds’ terrific
passing eye and hands found eager teammates looking to finish or connect on in
rhythm jumpers. LJ Figueroa had another typically efficient game scoring 19
points on 8-13 shooting including 3-6 from beyond the arc. His two-point field goals were also fun to
watch because he has a great knack for scoring in traffic where he never seems
to jump the highest but always seems to have perfect timing. Timing also seems
to be an important part of his ability to finish in transition, almost like a
great scorer in soccer who has an ability to time his runs to be in position
not only to receive a pass but have a good shot at the basket. Marvin Clark II
finished with 14 points while Mustapha Heron added 10 for the Johnnies.
The win gave St.
John’s their first 10-0 start since the 1982-83 season when their coach was
just a sophomore. That year the Redmen began the season with 14 straight wins
and won their first Big East Tournament Title. It is also just the team’s third
10-0 start since 1950.
St. John’s will be
back in action Wednesday to face St. Francis of Brooklyn. Tip off will be at
6:30 pm.
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