St. John’s ran out of Georgetown, 87-66

St. John’s poor first half led to a blowout loss against the Georgetown Hoyas, 87-66.

The Johnnies went into Georgetown turning the ball over just over 12 times per game and forcing over 18 turnovers per game. However, tonight, the Red Storm found themselves in the unusual position of losing the first half turnover battle 10-3. Seven of the Red Storm turnovers occurred in the first ten minutes of the game. Perhaps it was shaking off the rust in his return from injury, but Mustapha Heron had 4 of the team’s 10 turnovers before the break.

Defensively, St. John’s let the Hoyas, and particularly Mac McClung, get going from beyond the arc. Georgetown shot 8/14 from downtown before the break, and McClung was 2/3 himself on his way to a 21 point half off 6/12 shooting from the floor.

While Georgetown capitalized on the turnovers and collectively good shooting half, St. John’s was not able to score enough when they did maintain possession to keep the game close going into halftime. The Johnnies shot 8/31 from the floor and 2/14 from three, which has been a theme thus far in conference play; the Red Storm have shot 13% from beyond the arc against Big East opponents coming into this game.

At the half, the Hoyas had St. John’s doubled up, 53-26.

In the second half, the Johnnies were able to force some turnovers and get more shots they liked, but it was not enough to close the 27 point halftime deficit.

The Johnnies were able to get out in transition more with Georgetown turning the ball over 12 times in the second half, compared to St. John’s 5 second half turnovers.

Rasheem Dunn was good in St. John’s second half attempt to close the gap, scoring 12 points on 4 of 7 from the floor, but Jamorko Pickett and the Hoyas were not will to concede their lead to the Johnnies.

While McClung propelled Georgetown to a big lead in the first half, Pickett was integral in maintaining that lead after the break. Pickett contributed 10 second half points on 4/8 from the floor while also grabbing 5 rebounds resulting in Pickett finishing the game with a double-double.

On a positive note, the pace gradually took its toll on Georgetown. As previously mentioned, the turnovers were an issue for the Hoyas in the second half, and St. John’s fans can remember how tired a seven man rotation can get late in games like this.

Both Patrick Ewing and Mike Anderson started getting the end of their benches into the game in the last couple minutes, but a game that had been a blow-out for a large majority of the game ended with St. John’s losing, 87-66.

St. John’s looks to end their three-game skid on Saturday at noon against DePaul at Madison Square Garden.

St. John’s Red Storm

LJ Figueroa: 23 points (8/23 FG, 4/11 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover

Rasheem Dunn: 18 points (5/12 FG, 1/4 3PT), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover

Georgetown Hoyas

Mac McClung: 24 points (7/17 FG, 2/6 3PT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover

Jamorko Picket (double-double): 18 points (6/14 FG, 2/6 3PT), 11 rebounds, 4 turnovers