The Johnnies Down the Bonnies, 68-56, in Season Opener

Tuesday, November 5

St. Bonaventure, NY (Reilly Center)

5 p.m.

St. John's University

1-0,0-0Big East

St. Bonaventure

0-1,0-0Atlantic 10

St. John's (NY)

St. Bonaventure

The Johnnies Down the Bonnies, 68-56, in Season Opener

11/5/2019 8:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Leilani Correa drains a team-high 18 points in her collegiate debut

By: Victoria Lanza

Behind a stellar 18-point performance from freshman guard Leilani Correa, the St. John's women's basketball team defeated St. Bonaventure, 68-56, in the team's season opener on Tuesday night at the Reilly Center.

Correa burst onto the scene, draining seven of her 10 tries from the field to lead the Johnnies in her collegiate debut. The last St. John's rookie to score 18 or more points in their first taste of college action was Kia Wright, who scored 33 points in 2004. In addition to her scoring ability, the Manchester, N.J., native grabbed six boards for the Red Storm.

Four other players made their St. John's debut, as Alissa Alston, Unique Drake, Emma Nolan and Cecilia Holmberg all saw minutes for the Red Storm.

Alston and junior Qadashah Hoppie posted 13 points apiece on the evening, while sophomore Kadaja Bailey put up 11 points in her first start for St. John's.

Unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST Selection Tiana England dished out a team-high 10 helpers, while senior guard Alisha Kebbe paced the Red Storm with eight boards on the evening.

In addition to their offensive success, the Johnnies forced 16 St. Bonaventure turnovers, turning the Bonnies' miscues into 18 points.

"Starting on the road is always a test, especially in an environment like St. Bonaventure," Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. "I was happy with how we were able to grind it out."

The Red Storm got the scoring started early as Hoppie made a drive for the basket to put St John's on the board. Following Hoppie's opening shot, the two teams traded blows with the Johnnies leading 11-10 midway through the opening quarter.

On the other end of the media timeout both teams went without a point for nearly four minutes, until Hoppie snapped the scoring drought. The Staten Island native drew a foul on the Bonnies and then converted on two shots from the charity stripe to give the Red Storm a 13-10 advantage. The Johnnies outscored the Bonnies, 5-3, down the stretch of the opening frame to lead, 17-13, after 10 minutes.

Kebbe continued to build upon the Red Storm's lead in the second stanza, hitting an early three to give the Red Storm a 20-13 edge. The two teams went back-and-forth over the remainder of the half with St. John's leading 31-25 at the intermission.

At the break, Hoppie paced the way for the Red Storm in scoring with eight points, while Kebbe brought down six rebounds. The Red Storm's defense was locked in, forcing 11 turnovers in the opening quarter.

On the other end of the break, the Bonnies recorded back-to-back shots to make it a one possession game. St. Bonaventure continued to inch its way back, but the Johnnies never lost sight of the lead. The third quarter was the Correa show, as the rookie guard controlled the offense for the Red Storm, scoring 10 of her 18 points.

With the Johnnies leading by 11 points, 54-43, entering the final frame, Hoppie got the scoring started with a shot from beyond the arc. The junior guard's deep three began a 6-0 run for the Red Storm, extending its lead to 17, 60-43, it largest of the night.

The Bonnies continued to battle over the remainder of the final frame but would only get within 12, as the Johnnies cruised to a 68-56 victory.

St. John's returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13, as the Red Storm welcomes Lafayette to Carnesecca Arena for the team's home opener at 7 p.m. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3.