St. John’s dominates Mississippi Valley State 119-61

(PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S RED STORM ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT)

The return of fans in the stands across the spectrum of college basketball has been a long time coming. For the St. John’s Red Storm, the pleasantries of hearing the raucous crowd inside Carnesecca Arena, for the first time since February 2020, gave the Johnnies extra motivation. Their opponent, the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State, were not prepared for the drubbing they would receive by this Mike Anderson-led squad on opening night.

“It makes a big difference. The adrenaline gets going.” said Anderson.

Impressive, to say the least, about the chemistry that has been in question since the preseason with just three returners from a season ago. The Johnnies recorded their largest margin of victory since the 1951-52 season, when St. John’s took down Arnold College.

For those wondering the same as most, Arnold College was a small college in Milford, Connecticut that has since been shut down for the better part of two decades.

By the time the first 20 was completed, the contest was wrapped up in a bow for St. John’s as they led 59-18 at the half. They also covered the -44.5-point spread, which was supposed to be a given.

St. John’s did what it needed to do on defense, by holding Mississippi Valley State to a 6-of-33 shooting clip from the field. On the flip side, the Red Storm laid a whopping 23-for-34 clip on the table against the Delta Devils. Sophomore guard and defending Defensive Player of the Year Posh Alexander played his first game in front of fans tonight and provided double digits through the first 20.

“I worked on my shooting a lot in the summer. I feel like I’m shooting well and building up my confidence. I focus on it in practice every day, so I just had to bring that to into a game setting.” commented Alexander.

Additionally, Alexander tallied a career-high four triples in five attempts, which is a career high individually, as per a St. John’s spokesperson.

Throughout the second half of the contest, Julian Champagnie found a new level as the reigning league leader in scoring tallied 10 points off 4-of-8 from the field, and 2-of-3 from distance. Champagnie also added a block and four boards.

Post presence has been a nuisance for the Johnnies for the better part of four years since Tariq Owens took his talents to Texas Tech during the 2018-19 season after graduation. St. John’s may have found its answer in center Joel Soriano.

Soriano, who is a Fordham transfer, recorded his ninth double-double in 15 games played, where he tallied 11 points, a pair of blocks, and 13 boards.

One issue lies for the Red Storm as we continue rolling along throughout non-conference play, are the turnovers. During the Baruch scrimmage, St. John’s turned the ball over 18 times. Tonight, against the No. 357 ranked (Sports Illustrated) Delta Devils, 20 times. Not ideal if you are looking to be a perennial March Madness contender.

Finally, the return of sophomore Dylan Addae-Wusu was a huge boost to the lineup, as he added eight points off the bench, and grabbed four rebounds, while dishing a pair of assists in the process.

Addae-Wusu, who is one of three returners from a season ago, has been nursing an ankle injury for the better part of the preseason, where his status coming into tonight’s contest, was in question. We did see in pregame introductions, he was in game gear, and would be on the bench.

The remainder of the Red Storm lineup, and full rotation is remained to be seen, since Mike Anderson rolled with 11 players off the bench excluding the pair of walk-ons.

Graduate guard Stef Smith added six points, three assists, four boards, and provided 19 minutes of solid play on the court. Rutgers transfer Montez Mathis added 11 points, and three rebounds in a 4-for-5 shooting night. The Johnnies’ bench provided 53 points off the bench.

“We have potential. We have some guys that can do some things that we hadn’t been able to do. I like how we rebounded the basketball tonight. We have some guys that are older guys. They’re figuring out their roles with our basketball team. They all had some bright moments tonight.” said Anderson following the win.

St. John’s returns home on Saturday, November 13, for a battle with the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at 4 p.m. from Carnesecca Arena.