St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Takes On Upstate Rival Niagara On Saturday
11/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2005
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QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's men's basketball team (2-0) faces one of its oldest rivals, Niagara University (2-0), on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena in Queens. The 96th meeting between the two Vincentian schools will air live on Radio Disney 1560-AM, with Mike Crispino, Brandon Tierney and Tarik Turner calling the action. The radio pregame show begins at 2:35 p.m.
- The Red Storm is coming off its second-straight victory to open the season, defeating St. Francis (N.Y.) on Tuesday, 64-50. It marks the first time since 2002-03 that St. John's has begun its season 2-0, and the fourth time in the last 11 years. The Red Storm has averaged 75.0 points per game in 2005-06, shooting 41.1 percent from the field, and has limited opponents to 45.0 ppg on 31.3 percent shooting, ranking first among BIG EAST teams in field goal percentage defense. The Red Storm has outrebounded opponents 50.5 rpg to 31.0 -- a difference of 19.5 boards per game -- which ranks second in the league to date.
- Junior guard Daryll Hill scored a game-high 16 points against St. Francis, leading the Red Storm to the 14 point victory and avenging a loss from the 2004-05 season. St. John's made 45.5 percent of its shots and outrebounded the Terriers, 44-29, in the victory. Freshman forward Anthony Mason Jr. broke out for the first double-figure scoring game of his young career, netting 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbing five rebounds. Junior big man Lamont Hamilton put forth an outstanding second-half effort to finish with nine points and a game-high six boards, while Dexter Gray had another strong performance in a reserve role, scoring eight points on 4-of-6 field goals.
- Like St. John's, Niagara University is a Catholic, Vincentian institution in the state of New York. Niagara is also 2-0 on the season after a 71-56 road win over Binghamton on Nov. 18 and a Nov. 21 home victory over Buffalo-area rival St. Bonaventure, 101-88. Junior guard Lorenzo Miles (23.0 ppg) and sophomore Charron Fisher (20.5 ppg) lead four double-figure scorers for the Purple Eagles, while junior forward J.R. Duffey and senior James Mathis grab 9.0 rebounds per game. St. John's holds a 69-26 advantage all-time over the Purple Eagles in a series that dates to 1909.
Red Storm Rising
- Five starters return in 2005-06 for head coach Norm Roberts' squad, including the BIG EAST's top returning scorer Daryll Hill and do-it-all big man Lamont Hamilton. Sophomore guard Eugene Lawrence is back in the starting lineup, and has joined newcomers Anthony Mason Jr. and Aaron Spears in the Red Storm's first five in the first two games of the season. Forward Dexter Gray and guard Cedric Jackson have been excellent contributors in reserve roles. As predicted, a deeper and more athletic St. John's team has taken the floor for the Red Storm in 2005-06.
- Hill, the BIG EAST's top returning scorer in 2005-06, began to heat up against St. Francis. He tallied 16 points by making 7-of-13 from the field and also added five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Improved scoring options in the Red Storm offense have enabled Hill to focus on his overall game and playmaking -- not just scoring -- and he currently ranks among conference leaders in scoring (15.0 ppg), assists (5.0 per game) and free throw percentage (.909). Hill played nearly every minute of every game a season ago and averaged 38.0 minutes per outing. He still leads the Red Storm in minutes played at 33.5 per game, but has been able to shave 4.5 minutes off his average as St. John's has displayed greater backcourt depth.
- Junior forward Hamilton scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds against the Terriers, continuing his role as St. John's chief inside threat and ranking eighth among BIG EAST players with a 9.5 boards per game average. Hamilton has scored at a 42.1 percent clip inside (9.0 ppg), playing a consistent and energetic 27.0 minutes per game.
- Lawrence continues to produce on both ends of the floor for the Red Storm, averaging 7.0 ppg after two contests. In addition to his scoring prowess, Lawrence is among the BIG EAST's best rebounding guards at 7.0 board per game. He has dished nine assists (4.5 per game) after leading all rookie passers a season ago, and had amassed five steals in the first two games on the season as well (2.5 per game).
Head Coach Norm Roberts
- Native New Yorker Norm Roberts returns for his second season on the Red Storm sidelines. Roberts' energy has revitalized the basketball program and has St. John's moving toward being a formidable competitor in the BIG EAST once again.
- First-year accomplishments for Roberts and his staff in 2004-05 included victories over then No. 17 NC State, then No. 21 Pittsburgh and the championship of the 2004 Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden.
- St. John's proved to be a worthy competitor in the first season under Roberts, as 17 contests were decided by 10 or fewer points. St. John's posted victories in six of those games, and 11 of the squad's losses were by 10 points or less.
- The Red Storm players showed tremendous heart and hustle during the first year of the Roberts Era, as three members of the squad averaged more than 30 minutes per game. Hill, Hamilton and guard Lawrence registered 38.0 mpg, 32.9 mpg and 31.1 mpg, respectively.
On Deck
- St. John's continues its six-game season-opening homestand at Carnesecca Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 29, as the Red Storm play host to the Hofstra Pride at 7:30 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN Radio 1050-AM.
- Charleston Southern comes to Queens on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. for another non-conference matchup. That game will also be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1050-AM.
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