St. John’s Makes History in Dominant 95-37 Season-Opening Victory Over Lafayette

Monday, November 2

Queens, N.Y. (Carnesecca Arena)

2 p.m.

St. John's University

1-0,0-0Big East

Lafayette

0-1,0-0Patriot

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Lafayette	9	9	12	7	37
St. John's (NY)	18	22	30	25	95

Junior guard Janeya Grant provided a spark from beyond the arc, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including a 4-of-6 performance from 3-point range.

Photo by: Vincent Dusovic

11/2/2026 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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The Red Storm records second-largest margin of victory in program history, its largest in nearly 47 years

QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign with a historic performance on Monday afternoon, overpowering Lafayette, 95-37, at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm's commanding 58-point victory marked the second-largest winning margin in program history and its largest in a season opener in nearly 47 years.

The Red Storm (1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) showcased its offensive firepower and defensive intensity in the season-opening victory, forcing 26 turnovers and holding the Leopards (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) to just 25.0% shooting from the field. The Johnnies shot an efficient 55.2% from the floor and 52.6% from beyond the arc, while five players finished in double figures.

The 58-point triumph marked the second-largest margin of victory in program history since Nov. 19, 1979, when St. John's defeated Dominican, 93-28. The Johnnies also secured their first victory by 50 or more points since a 102-48 win over UNC Asheville on Dec. 28, 1994, while surpassing the 90-point threshold for the first time since a 96-63 road victory at Xavier on Feb. 6, 2022.

The victory extended St. John's streak to 10 consecutive home-opening wins, while Head Coach Joe Tartamella improved to 14-1 in season openers.

Graduate student guard Ny'Ceara Pryor made an immediate impact in her St. John's debut, leading all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The Baltimore, Md., native knocked down a pair of triples while adding four assists and four steals in just over 23 minutes of action.

Junior guard Janeya Grant provided a spark from beyond the arc, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including a 4-of-6 performance from 3-point range. Preseason All-BIG EAST selection Sa'Mya Wyatt chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, while graduate forward Daniela Abies added 10 points and four boards.

Freshman Syvannah Dawson impressed in her collegiate debut, pouring in 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting performance, including two triples, in just over 10 minutes off the bench.

The Red Storm's depth was on full display, with the bench contributing 32 points. Freshman Serenity Lancaster recorded eight points and a team-high six rebounds, while Yohana Fami and Olivia Tucker added five points apiece. Sanaa Tripp chipped in four steals and three assists as the Johnnies finished with 16 assists, 19 steals, 15 second-chance points and 10 made triples.

St. John's established control early, capitalizing on Lafayette turnovers to take an 18-9 advantage after the opening quarter. The Johnnies continued to build their lead in the second, connecting on four triples and outscoring the Leopards, 22-9, to carry a commanding 40-18 advantage into halftime.

The Red Storm erupted for a game-high 30 points in the third quarter, shooting 64.3% from the field and 75% from beyond the arc. St. John's used a 17-0 scoring run to extend its lead to 40 entering the final frame before outscoring Lafayette, 25-7, in the fourth. The Johnnies held the Leopards without a made field goal in the final period and stretched their advantage to as many as 60 points. St. John's poured in 55 second-half points while shooting 64.5% from the floor.

St. John's will continue its season-opening four-game homestand on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it welcomes Wagner to Carnesecca Arena for a 1 p.m. tip-off.