QUEENS, NY — Mother nature was not so sweet to the Bison Thursday night as the No. 14 ranked St. John’s Red Storm destroyed Bucknell, 97-49, in a sold-out Carnesecca Arena.
Five Johnnies ended the 48-point throttling—the largest margin of victory under head coach Rick Pitino—on scoring figures of double-digits with sophomore guard Ian Jackson and graduate forward Bryce Hopkins, each tying for a game-high of 20 points, marking both of their first 20-point performances in a St. John’s uniform.
The other three Red Storm players to score 10 or more points were sophomore forward Ruben Prey (14 points, three steals), senior forward Dillon Mitchell (10 points, 11 rebounds) and sophomore guard Joson Sanon (10 points, six boards).
Throughout the lopsided contest, despite the Bison throwing punches and showing fight in the first half, eight additional Johnnies put the ball in the hoop, proving that a work in progress is still taking place in Queens regarding rotations and certain roles off the bench.
A common theme in November and December for College Basketball programs across the country.
No. 14 St. John’s (3-1), with different starting lineups in each of its first four games, has scored 93 or more points in each game – Image Credit: Tomasso DeRosa/Latino Sports
“We have four new starters, so it takes time,” Pitino said in the postgame as St. John’s moved to 3-1 with all four of its regular season games including a minimum output of 93 points on the offensive end.
“I think we’re going to get better and better and better. We’re not there yet because we have four new starters. We’re a deep team with a great attitude. If we go 3-0 (in Las Vegas), we’re not going to embrace it. If we go 2-1, we’re not going to be disappointed. We’re just going to play and get better.”
What the 73-year-old Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was referring to is the Players Era Festival in Sin City scheduled for this coming Monday, November 24th (vs. No. 16 Iowa State), and Tuesday, November 25th (vs. Baylor).
An opponent for a third game as well as the date, which would be Wednesday, November 26th or Thursday, November 27th, is to be determined based on the first two results.
No. 14 St. John’s will face No. 16 Iowa State (Monday, 11/24) and Baylor (Tuesday, 11/25) next week in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Players Era Festival – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
On the excitement level to head off to Las Vegas, the Bronx, NY native Jackson said, “For us to go out there and play against teams like Iowa State and Baylor, it’s a true test to see where we are early on in the season. It’s going to be great and I think we’re going to be ready for what’s to come.”
Mitchell, a transfer from Cincinnati, recently named one of three Red Storm captains alongside seniors Zuby Ejiofor and Sadiku Ibine Ayo, added, “Vegas will be really good for us, another big opportunity. I’ve played in the Big 12 for three years. I can’t get away from it. I know what it’s like to play Iowa State and Baylor. They’re physical and big, and I’ll be able to tell the guys what to expect.”
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