St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Falls To Niagara, 102-81
11/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2004
LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) - Juan Mendez scored 34 points, 21 in the first half, to lead Niagara to a 102-81 win over St. John's on Saturday night.
Niagara (3-1) dominated the first half, leading 61-30 at the break after mounting an 18-4 run midway through the period and another 18-4 run late in the half.
The Purple Eagles shot 65.7 percent from the field in the first half, were 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 10-of-12 from the free throw line. It was their sixth-straight win at home.
St. John's (1-2) committed nine turnovers and hit just one of seven from 3-point range.
Niagara, which had lost its previous six meetings with the Red Storm, had five players in double figures. J.R. Duffey scored 16 points. Alvin Cruz netted 14 and added 10 assists. Lorenzo Miles and James Mathis each scored 10.
St. John's, playing its first road game of the season, was led by Daryll Hill with 21 points. Cedric Jackson scored 16 and Rodney Epperson added 14.
Niagara racked up 24 assists and turned the ball over just 10 times.
It was the first time in 91 meetings that Niagara has scored over 100 points against St. John's. Their previous high occured Feb. 19, 1972 in a 93-90 loss to the Red Storm.