• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – Prior to facing the #3 ranked Villanova Wildcats on Saturday afternoon, the St. Johns Red Storm lost each of their last three games by double digits. Two of those losses (10 Creighton, 16 Xavier) came from nationally ranked opponents. St. John’s looked to turn things around against a Villanova team that is at the top of the Big East Conference. Villanova won two straight since losing their only game of the season to #18 Butler, and looked to continue rolling against the Red Storm.

This game had a classic Big East rivalry feel to it, between two classic Big East teams. St. John’s came out playing physical basketball, and forced uncharacteristic turnovers from Villanova. The Red Storm converted 20 turnovers for 20 points against the Wildcats. That is really what kept the Red Storm in the ballgame. At the half, St. Johns trailed 35-29 and looked to have a real shot at the upset.

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Ponds had a solid game for the Red Storm.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Ponds had a solid game for the Red Storm.

However, the second half was a different story as Villanova looked like a much more composed team. Shamorie Ponds (13 PTS, 3 REBS) said it best in the post-game press conference. “We played them good the first half and they attacked us in the second half,” Ponds said. “They punched us and we couldn’t recover from the punch they gave us.”

Villanova outscored the Red Storm 35-28 in the second half, and opened up a lead by as many as 17. Donte DiVincenzo (19 PTS, 3 REBS) and Mikal Bridges (12 PTS, 3 REBS) paced the offense, and led Villnova to a 70-57 win.

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Bridges is emerging as another scoring option for Villanova.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Bridges is emerging as another scoring option for Villanova.

This now puts Villanova as sole leader of the Big East with a 5-1 conference record. St. Johns now falls to 2-4 in conference play (7th in Big East), and 8-11 on the season. This is a young Red Storm team having growing pains, but gaining valuable experience. St. John’s will look to end a four game losing skid, Monday afternoon against DePaul.

Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732

(Featured Photo Credit: Barry Holmes)

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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