Williams Leads St. John's Past Stony Brook

 

     Greg Williams Jr scored 9 of his game-high 21 points in what would become a decisive 22-2 first half closing run for St. John’s. He would then add a three pointer as St. John’s began the second half on an 8-0 run and cruised to an 89-66 win over local rival Stony Brook yesterday at Carnesecca Arena Sunday afternoon.

     “They threw the first punch”, Coach Mike Anderson said of the Seawolves. “But that’s typical when you’re talking about a school right down the highway.”

    Several Stony Brook players with connections to Metropolitan Area basketball helped forge them to a strong start. Juan Felix Rodriguez, who was a juco all-American point guard at Monroe College in New Rochelle ran the point effectively scoring at times and at times involving his teammates. Mo Gueye, a senior who prepped at Curtis HS on Staten Island finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Frankie Policelli of Long Island Lutheran finished with 14 points and a game high 10 boards. Each guy and other locals such as Tykei Greene all contributed as the Seawolves forged a 33-27 lead with 5 minutes left in the half.

     “I don’t think it was anything that was said”, Williams explained when asked what might have sparked the rally at the end of the half “I think we all just had that feeling as far as we need to get going, we need to play how we’re capable of playing,” he said. “So I think it was more so us taking that initiative and playing hard and playing together.”

     Williams led the charge both during the rally and throughout the ballgame. His 21 points matched a career high and he needed just 11 shots to achieve it. He added 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals to what may have been his best effort as a Johnnie. While he spearheaded St. John’s offense attack and was a constant presence around the ball in their press, he had lots of help. Julian Champagne finished with 16 points 4 assists and 3 steals of his own. Isaih Moore was a long and active presence at the top of their zone pressure and Posh Alexander, whose scoring numbers were modest was a persistent pest to Stony Brook ball handlers. His steal and pass to set up a Champagne 3 and cap the 8-0 third quarter start was a terrific effort play and served as an exclamation point on a very good win.

        St. John’s is scheduled to face Rider on Tuesday at Carnesecca Arena.