St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
14-3, 4-2BE
at Cincinnati*
11-5, 1-4BE
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 44 | 44 | 88 |
| Cincinnati | 33 | 47 | 80 |
Red Storm Holds Off Bearcats, 88-80
1/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Tara Walker scored 20 points and the St. John's University women's basketball team used a complete team effort to defeat Cincinnati, 88-80, Wednesday night at Fifth Third Arena. Walker was 9-for-14 from the field and drained two 3-pointers en route to her season-high 20 points, while junior classmates Kia Wright and Angela Clark each chipped in 16 points in the Red Storm victory.
St. John's improved to 14-3, 4-2 in the BIG EAST, while Cincinnati dropped to 11-5 overall, 1-4 in conference play. The Red Storm is off to its best league start since the 1990-91 season, when it also began with a 4-2 mark.
The first half was one of runs, as each team put together strings of solid minutes. After a back and forth beginning, the score was tied at 29-29 with 5:44 left to play in the half. The Red Storm stepped up, however, and went on a 15-4 run to end the period and take a 44-33 lead into the locker room.
St. John's built its lead in the second half and eventually stretched it to 18 points at the 14-minute mark.
Cincinnati chipped away at St. John's lead and came to within two points on a 3-pointer by Karen Twehues with 9:25 left to play. But the Red Storm regrouped and Danielle Chambers converted a lay-up off an assist from Greeba Barlow to put St. John's ahead, 65-61 at the 9:01 mark.
Although the Bearcats kept the margin to single digits, the Red Storm made free throws down the stretch and held on for the 88-80 win.
Chambers notched her fourth double-double of the year, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Barlow also netted 10 points.
Wright, in addition to her 16 points, dished out nine assists on the night, while Clark hauled down six rebounds.
The Red Storm shot 59 percent from the field and had 23 assists, both season-highs. It was the 10th time in 17 games that at least four players scored in double figures.
Cincinnati was led by Shelly Bellman (28 points, five assists), Michelle Jones (13 points, six rebounds) and Anne Stephens (10 points).
St. John's hits the big stage on Saturday, Jan. 21, when it hosts Villanova at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off from the World's Most Famous Arena is 2:30 p.m.
