St. John's University Athletics
St. John's and Xavier to Meet on Sunday
1/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
QUEENS, N.Y. - Despite the blizzard conditions blanketing the Northeast, the St. John's Red Storm and the Xavier Musketeers are still set to square off on Sunday afternoon, as the two teams will meet inside Carnesecca Arena at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on BIG EAST Digital Network with Mike Watts and Megan Hughes Perry on the call.
QUICK HITS
• The Red Storm rolls into Sunday following its best defensive performance of the year on Friday night, as St. John's held Butler to just 41 points in a 27-point victory at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm restricted Butler to just eight points in the opening half and 18 points through the first 30 minutes of play. For the game, the Red Storm limited the Bulldogs to just 26.9 percent from the field, the team's second best effort of the season in that category. St. John's also set season-highs for rebounds and assists, as Joe Tartamella's team grabbed 46 boards and dished out 21 helpers on 29 made field goals.
• Sophomore forward Imani Littleton put up the best performance of her St. John's tenure on Friday night, setting four career highs in her team's win over Butler. The San Diego, Calif., native tallied 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 35 minutes of action, all four of which set new career-best marks.
• Two of the premier talents not only in the BIG EAST but in the entire NCAA, Danaejah Grant and Aliyyah Handford have often been the catalyst for St. John's during the team's 15-4 start. In the team's 15 wins this season, Grant and Handford have combined to average 39.8 points per game (20.9 and 18.9, respectively). In the Red Storm's four setbacks, the pair has combined to average just 24.6 points per outing (13.3 and 11.3, respectively).
• The Red Storm has made the most of its opportunities on campus this season, sporting a record of 8-1 in games played at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm is 2-1 this season against ranked opponents inside the building named after the winningest coach in the history of St. John's basketball and 6-0 against unranked opponents. The Johnnies are 43-13 in home games under Joe Tartamella.
SCOUTING XAVIER
• Following a 16-point loss to Seton Hall, Xavier is 14-5 on the season with a 5-3 record in BIG EAST play.
• The Musketeers have three players averaging double figures, led by Raeshaun Gaffney at 12.0 points per game. Briana Glover is averaging 11.8, while Aliyah Zantt is adding 10.4.
• Xavier has struggled from beyond the arc, sinking just 73 of their 246 attempts (29.7 percent).
• The Musketeers are the best free throw shooting team in the conference, converting on 77.6 percent of their chances from the charity stripe. All five starters are shooting better than 76 percent from the line, led by Glover at 85.3 percent and Gaffney at 82.9 percent.
ST. JOHN'S VS. XAVIER- THE SERIES
• The Red Storm and the Musketeers have met four times over the past two seasons with the series history tied at two wins apiece.
• The visiting team has never won in contests played between St. John's and Xavier, as the Red Storm holds a 2-0 record at Carnesecca Arena and the Musketeers are 2-0 at Cintas Center.
• Last season, St. John's opened and closed its BIG EAST slate against the Musketeers, defeating Xavier at home, 65-42, on Dec. 3 before falling in Cincinnati, 74-61, on Mar. 1.
