St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Heads to South Florida on Sunday
12/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TAMPA, Fla. - Coming off a home win over Xavier on Wednesday night to open up BIG EAST play, the Red Storm kicks off its final stretch of non-conference play on Sunday, traveling to South Florida for 2 p.m. contest.
QUICK HITS
Amber Thompson continued her absolute domination on the glass this season on Wednesday night against Xavier. The senior forward pulled in 14 boards, including a career-high 12 on the defensive glass, and tied a career-high with six blocks in the win over the Musketeers. The Newark, N.J., native ranks sixth nationally in rebounding this season and fifth in offensive rebounding.
After pouring in 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting against the Musketeers on Wednesday night, junior guard Danaejah Grant maintained her claim for the lead-league scoring. Averaging 20.7 points per game through six contests, Grant is two points ahead of Seton Hall's Ka-Deidre Simmons. Teammate Aliyyah Handford joins Grant in the top four, checking in at 17.7 points per game.
Surrendering just 51 points per contest through its first six games, the Red Storm ranks ninth in the nation in scoring defense through games played on December 4. St. John's also sits near the top of the country in fewest turnovers per game, checking in at 16th in the nation (12.7).
The Red Storm features two players that are in striking range of career milestones. Following her monster performance against Xavier, Amber Thompson has claimed sole possession of fourth place on the St. John's career list for both rebounds (792) and blocks (115). While Dianne Pugh's block record of 229 appears out of reach, her career mark of 868 rebounds is well within Thompson's sights. In addition, Aliyyah Handford is just 35 points away from becoming the 21st player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
SCOUTING SOUTH FLORIDA
South Florida presents the toughest test of the non-conference season for the Red Storm so far.
The Bulls are currently one spot out of the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll, having previously been ranked 25th a few weeks back.
South Florida enters with a 6-2 record, having only suffered losses to Maryland and Kentucky, both of whom are top 10 teams.
Junior guard Courtney Williams leads the Bulls on offense, averaging 19.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Her 7.5 boards are second-best on the squad. Classmate Alisia Jenkins leads the team with 10.4 rebounds per contest.
As a team, the Bulls are shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 36 percent from beyond the arc.
ST. JOHN'S vs. USF- THE SERIES
Former conference foes when South Florida was a member of the BIG EAST from 2004-2013, the Red Storm and the Bulls have played eight times in their series history, with the Red Storm coming away with victories in six of those games.
The Red Storm has won the last four meetings between the two schools, dating back to a 57-55 win on Jan. 23, 2010 at Carnesecca Arena.
Both of the Red Storm's losses to South Florida have come in the Sun Dome, with St. John's sporting a 2-2 record all-time in Tampa.
In the last meeting between the two teams, freshman Aliyyah Handford was one of three St. John's players to score in double figures, as the Red Storm downed the Bulls 65-59 on the road.
