St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
3-3
Albany
3-4
St. John's Downs Albany, 54-36
11/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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QUEENS, N.Y. - Behind 13 points from Jade Walker and a season-best 10 points from Andrayah Adams, the St. John's women's basketball team cruised to a 54-36 win over visiting Albany at Carnesecca Arena on Wednesday.
"This was an important game for us because we haven't had a chance to grab a win at home," said Head Coach Joe Tartamella. "Coming off a long road trip from the West Coast, with the time change, we were hoping to have enough energy to play well. I thought we did a great job defensively. That's probably the best defensive effort we've had all year, in guarding as a team, turning them over 29 times, which is a big key to that game."
Along with Walker and Adams, Maya Singleton added nine points and a season-high seven rebounds to go along with three steals and two blocks. Crystal Simmons chipped in six points, hitting 2-of-3 from behind the arc.
As a team, the Johnnies (3-3) shot 40.4 percent from the floor, converting on 19-of-47 tries. From deep, St. John's was 5-of-10.
The St. John's defense held the Great Danes (3-4) to just 36 points after Albany entered the game averaging more than 65 points per contest. From the floor, the Red Storm limited Albany to just 28 percent (14-for-50), including 26.7 percent (4-for-15) from behind the arc.
After one quarter of play, the teams were tied at 13-all. The Red Storm then used a big second quarter to go ahead for good.
After Albany began the period with a three from Bailey Hixson, the Johnnies scored 11-straight points to take a 24-16 advantage with 4:34 left before the break. Walker and Adams did all of the scoring for the Red Storm. Adams started the spurt with a three of her own. Later, the freshman hit a jumper in the paint. Walker followed with a jumper and a fast-break lay-up, capping the run.
Albany ended the spurt with a three to make it 26-19, but Alisha Kebbe and Sandra Udobi both hit jumpers late in the quarter to give the Johnnies a 28-19 edge at halftime. St. John's outscored Albany, 15-6, in the period and forced a total of 17 Great Dane turnovers in the first half.
In the third, St. John's continued to apply the pressure on the defensive end, limiting Albany to just 2-for-15 shooting from the floor. The Red Storm maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the quarter and led by as many as 15 (38-23) after Adams drained a three with 45 seconds left in the period.
Albany got within single digits (43-34) early in the fourth, but the Red Storm pulled away thanks to a jumper from Akina Wellere midway through the period and a three from Simmons with 3:05 left that put the game away for good. Down the stretch, Adams hit a pair of free throws with 1:22 to play, sealing it for the Johnnies.
Aaliyah Lewis finished with eight assists and four points, while Walker, Singleton and Imani Littleton blocked two shots each. As a team, St. John's outscored Albany, 20-6, in the paint and 24-13 in points off turnovers.
The Red Storm continues its three-game homestand on Saturday when it hosts Lafayette at Carnesecca Arena. The first tip is slated for 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
