Queens, N.Y. - Shenneika Smith posted a double-double in the
first half en route to scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for St. John's as Hofstra fell, 73-47, to the
nationally ranked Red Storm on Saturday afternoon at Carnesecca Arena.
Senior forward Shante Evans scored 12 points for her third
straight game in double figures but Hofstra dropped to 1-2 in losing to a St.
John's team that entered ranked 20th in the Associated Press poll and 18th in
the USA Today coaches' poll. Nadirah McKenith scored a game-high 24 points to
help St. John's improve to 2-1.
Junior guard Annie Payton contributed nine points and sophomore
guard Andreana Thomas notched eight points for the Pride, which was bidding for
its second straight win over the Big East-member Red Storm after Hofstra
defeated St. John's at home last season.
Briana Brown scored 12 points, giving St. John's three
players in double figures. Senior forward Candace Bond grabbed five rebounds,
scored four points and contributed two blocks for the Pride in their first true
road contest of the season after two season-opening games in Daytona Beach,
Fla. last week.
St. John's built a double-digit halftime lead and added to
it coming out of the break. McKenith used her aggressiveness to give her team a cushion, driving to the lane and drawing a foul for a three-point play that put
the Red Storm ahead, 57-39, with almost 13 minutes left in the game. Hofstra
would not get closer than 18 the rest of the way.
The matchup featured three players who were named to the
Naismith Trophy watch list this week, with Evans, Smith and McKenith making the
top-50 cut for the player of the year award. From the outset, the trio showed
the skills that warranted inclusion on the list, with Evans scoring eight
first-half points.
But Smith scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and hauled in
10 rebounds to help St. John's take a 43-31 halftime lead. McKenith added 15
points on 5-of-7 shooting as the duo accounted for 29 of the Red Storm's point
total before the break.
Less than six minutes in, St. John's went on an 11-1 run, punctuated
by Smith's right-wing jump shot before the guard made a steal and a lay-up for
an eight point edge. Hofstra went on a 7-2 run to get as close as 13-10. Thomas
scored eight consecutive Hofstra points at one juncture in the first half to
keep the Pride within two possessions.
St. John's ended the half on a 9-3 run capped by Eugeneia
McPherson's lay-up with 15 seconds left to provide the 12-point cushion.
Hofstra will next be in action on Sunday, Nov. 25 against
Saint Joseph's in the home opener. Game time at the Mack Sports Complex is set
for 2 p.m. Fans can call (516)HOF-TIXX for ticket information.
