St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
8-3
UAB
4-7
UAB Rallies For Win Over Women's Basketball
12/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Up by 16 points with 8:50 remaining in the game, the St. John's women's basketball team could not hold on to its lead as the University of Alabama at Birmingham mounted a comeback en route to the 80-71 win for the Blazer Invitational Tournament title on Tuesday night.
Four players scored in double figures for the Red Storm. Senior Kia Wright led the team with 15, while Monique McLean and Sky Lindsay each chipped in 13, respectively. Freshman Coco Hart set a new career high with her 12-point contest. Senior Tiina Sten just missed out on a double-double with a nine-point, nine-rebound performance.
For their efforts, both Sten and Wright were named to the Blazer Invitational All-Tournament team.
The Red Storm offense, which had been so strong throughout the game, went cold at the 8:50 mark. The team slowly watched its double-figure lead whittle away as the Blazers, who were struggling to start the second half, got things going. UAB went on a 17-1 run to tie the score and then closed out on an 11-2 run. UAB's Crystal McFadden scored nine of her 19 points during that stretch.
St. John's (8-3) shot 41.4 in the second half compared to its 53.8 average in the first half, while UAB (4-7) improved from 36.4 to 43.3 in the final frame.
The opening half went back-and-forth between the teams, with the score tied four times. At the 12:48 mark, Joy McCorvey (2-for-2) hit a layup to give St. John's a 16-15 lead. Wright quickly followed with a jumper at 12:08 to put the team up by three. The Red Storm stayed in front with its small lead for the next five minutes until Amanda Petererson connected on a 3-pointer to put UAB up by two at 6:22.
The Red Storm did not stay behind too long and eventually tied the score on a Sten free throw at the 5:15 mark. A 3-pointer by McLean at 4:06 gave the team the lead and St. John's stayed in front the rest of the half, going into the lockerroom with the score in its favor, 39-34.
Out of the break, St. John's quickly built its lead up to double figures as Wright drained a 3-point basket and Lindsay converted a jumper and two free throws. UAB managed to cut the deficit to single figures twice, but St. John's went on a 12-4 run to lead by 16.
The Red Storm will get back into action on Saturday when they host No. 11 Baylor at Carnesecca Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
