• Tue. Mar 19th, 2024

The second game of the MSG Holiday Festival was underway, as the St. John’s Red Storms took on the Princeton Tigers. St Johns entered this game unbeaten with an 8-0 record and they looked to claim another victory Sunday afternoon in the Garden.

The game started with high offense from the Johnnies and solid defense from a scrappy Princeton team. The Red Storms were off to a fast pace, as Sophomore Guard and Big East Player of the Week Shamorie Ponds led St. John’s to a 10 point lead (34-24)  in the middle of the first half. Princeton Guard Devin Cannady would keep the Tigers in the game as he scored 15 points with 3 mins left on the clock. St John’s would remain composed as they closed out the first half with a 3 point lead. (41-38)

As Justin Simon danced his way under the basket, and Ponds drained a wide open trey, the Johnnies took a 6 point lead early in the 2nd; and the lead continued as Ponds passed the ball to Mustapha Heron in the corner for a three; followed by a 3 point play by Ponds, giving the Johnnies a 19 point lead (75-56) late in the 2nd. Princeton would fight back as the outside shooting of Devin Cannady and Jose Morales brings Princeton within 4 (80-74)

St. John’s goes on a run down the stretch, due to the 2nd half offensive aggression by Ponds; he then steps to the line making both, giving St John’s a 13 point lead, followed by an assist to Justin Simon for 2, sealing the win for the Red Storm. (89-74) 

St. John’s defeats the Princeton Tigers, and they go on to their 9th straight win of the season (9-0) 

  • Shamorie Ponds scores a game high of 26 point, also adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • Devin Cannady led Princeton with 18 points.

Columbia and Iona took the Garden floor in the first game of the Holiday Festival. Columbia was off to an early lead in what would seem to be an early game victory, leading by 13 points in the middle of the first half. Iona would not give up without a fight as they battled back, with Tajuan leading the Iona Gaels to a 12-0 run as they close out the first half trailing the Columbia Lions by 2. 

As the 2nd half was underway the Lions Guard, Jake Killingsworth drained back to back treys to give the Lions a 5 point lead early in the 2nd, but Iona would come alive in the middle of the half to lead by 2 with 8 mins on the clock. 

Both teams fought down the stretch of the 2nd half, but the Columbia Lions led 69-66 with 46 seconds on the clock; after a lane violation by the Lions Iona regained possession, but committed an offensive foul, giving the Columbia Lions the ball while up 3. Asante Gist walks to the line making both shots, giving the Lions a 3 point lead and sealing the win. 

Columbia defeats Iona 71-74. 

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

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