By Connor Wilson
Looking for revenge after getting beat at home less than six weeks ago, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team did just that when they defeated the St. John’s Red Storm 95-86 on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
The Huskies were sluggish last time they played the Red Storm, but that was far from the case the second time around as the 95 points they scored were the most against a high major opponent all season.
“I was just impressed by the way we played offensively," UConn head coach Dan Hurley said. “Just making shots and looking like a team that had an offensive push.”
Jordan Hawkins led the way for UConn with 20 points on 6-for-18 shooting. This marks the fourth time in his last five games that Hawkins has scored exactly 20. Adama Sanogo had a great game as well, scoring 18 pts on 5-for-9 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds.
UConn guard Jordan Hawkins attacks the rim against St. John's
It wasn’t just the star players contributing for UConn, as Joey Calcaterra (15), Donovan Clingan (9), and Naheim Alleyne (8) combined for 32 bench points. Calcaterra matched his UConn high in points that he set against Buffalo and Clingan tied his career high with five blocks.
“That bench with Donovan and Joey made February feel more like it was November or December,” Hurley said, referencing the success the reserves had when the team started 14-0.
The Huskies also had a milestone set, as with his first free throw of the game Alleyne joined the 1,000 point club, making him the third Husky to reach that this season along with Calcaterra and Sanogo. UConn also moves to 10-0 on the season when Alleyne scores at least eight points.
“He’s a real sturdy defender,” Hurley said of Alleyne. “He gives us a scoring punch, even when he’s not making threes.”
With all the Huskies in double figures, Andre Jackson’s contributions get a little overlooked. Coming into Saturday a true game time decision due to an illness, he proceeded to match his career high of 15 points in 38 minutes. Jackson was also the beneficiary of multiple alley-oop finishes and played stellar defense.
UConn guard Joey Calcaterra throws up a shot against St. John's
It’s no secret that when UConn makes the trek to the Big Apple, the fans follow. Huskies faithful was in full effect all game, at times outweighing the Red Storm’s fans with their chants and cheers.
“Awesome crowd” Hurley said. “I thought it was a precursor to what the Big East Tournament’s gonna feel like in terms of the energy and atmosphere.”
As for the Red Storm, four players finished in double figures led by AJ Storr and his 20 points. Posh Alexander had 18 on 7-for-12 shooting. David Jones added 15 points off the bench and Joel Soriano, in potentially his final home game of his career, scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his NCAA leading 22nd double-double of the season.
St. John's coach Mike Anderson talks to center Joel Soriano
Soriano was one of three St. John’s players who were honored as a part of the team’s Senior Day celebrations pregame. Esahia Nyiwe and Montez Mathis were also honored. Nywie joined the starting lineup replacing fellow big O’Mar Stanley, while Mathis remained out after suffering a season ending injury earlier this year.
“Its just a brotherhood over here,” Alexander said of the players honored. “We all support each other no matter what. I’m happy for each and every one of them.”
St. John’s head coach Mike Anderson and the Red Storm have had some internal issues this season that have resulted in a couple of suspensions. Rafael Pinzon, who scored in double figures when the two teams played in Hartford, missed his third consecutive game. Andre Curbelo had also missed a handful of games, but has played in the past couple.
Anderson isn’t giving much information about any of the situations:
“Coach’s decision,” he firmly stated. He left it at that.
St. John's guard AJ Storr throws up a floater against UConn
In the matchup in Hartford there was a fair share of technical fouls to go around and that trend continued Saturday. Tristen Newton and Nyiwe were called for double techs in the first half and both Anderson and Dylan Addae-Wusu were assessed techs in the second half.
“Some of the calls, the double technical call and in the second half a little desperation. It was weird from that standpoint,” Anderson said.
At the end of the day, the Huskies came out on top in front of a crowd of over 12,000 people thanks to their timely shooting and ball control. UConn has been the better team through 29 games and it was evident.
INJURY REPORT: As mentioned, Jackson was a gametime decision due to a lingering illness in the past few days, but seemed fine when he was out there. Hassan Diarra was out with what was called a core/abdominal injury, leaving the UConn bench a little short.
No surprising injury news for the Red Storm as its already known Mathis will miss the remainder of the season
WHAT'S UP NEXT? UConn heads home for its final home game of the season when the Huskies host DePaul on Wednesday. St. John’s has their final “bye” of the season this week, as the Red Storm don’t return to action until next Saturday on the road against Marquette.