St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Hosts Butler on Friday
1/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
FOX Sports Go | | Game Notes | Tickets | Media Guide
QUEENS, N.Y. - Coming off a 60-50 victory over Providence in its last outing, the St. John's women's basketball team will host the Butler Bulldogs at Carnesecca Arena Friday night. The Johnnies are looking to win their second-straight game and eighth overall on their home court.
Ralph Bednarczyk and DJ Sixsmith will have the call on the BIG EAST Digital Network. John Fanta will provide sideline analysis for the 7 p.m. tip.
NEWS & NOTES
With his team's win over the Friars, Head Coach Joe Tartamella became the third-fastest coach in program history to win 100 games. The fifth-year head coach earned his 100th victory in just his 152nd game at the helm. The only coaches in the 42-year history of St. John's women's basketball to win 100 games faster are Vickie Kresse, who won her 100th game in her 141st game, and Joe Mullaney, Jr., who reached 100 wins in his 138th career game.
Akina Wellere led the Red Storm on Sunday against the Friars, matching a career-high with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. In the Johnnies' previous game, Wellere chipped in nine points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists. For her efforts last week. Wellere landed on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second time this season.
Aaliyah Lewis continued her stellar play at the point, scoring 12 points and registering nine assists against Providence. The senior assisted on four of the first five Red Storm baskets and remains atop the BIG EAST in assists per game, handing out 6.2 helpers per contest.
Jade Walker added 10 points against the Friars and has now scored in double figures in 14 of the Red Storm's 20 games this season. The senior is averaging 16.8 points per game in league play, good enough for fourth in the conference.
• Imani Littleton matched a career-high with 13 boards against Providence and has grabbed 7.1 rebounds per outing in BIG EAST games, ranking fifth in the league.
• Following Friday's game with Butler, St. John's welcomes Xavier to Madison Square Garden on Sunday at 3 p.m.
SCOUTING BUTLER
• Butler enters play on Friday with an overall record of 5-15 and 2-7 in BIG EAST action.
• The Bulldogs were picked to finish eighth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll.
Butler is led by Tori Schickel and Michelle Weaver. Schickel is averaging 14.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game and is the only player in the BIG EAST currently averaging a double-double. Weaver is averaging 9.8 points and 2.9 assists per game.
Butler's second-leading scorer, Kristen Spolyar, will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Butler is being outscored by an average of 10.5 points per game this season and is committing 18.4 turnovers per game.
ST. JOHN'S vs. BUTLER -- THE SERIES
Friday's contest will be the eighth meeting all-time between St. John's and Butler.
• The Red Storm hold a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a 2-1 record in games played at Carnesecca Arena.
• Earlier this season, the Johnnies defeated the Bulldogs, 62-41, in Indianapolis. Lewis, Kebbe, Wellere and Littleton all scored in double figures to lead a balanced scoring attack.
