Queens, NY (Sports Network) - JaKarr Sampson scored six of his 13 points in
overtime to lift the St. John's Red Storm to a 79-74 victory over the DePaul
Blue Demons in a thrilling Big East Conference battle at Carnesecca Arena.
D'Angelo Harrison tallied a team-high 17 points for the Red Storm () as they
earned their fifth consecutive victory. Phil Green IV added 13 points, while
Jamal Branch posted 11 points and swiped six steals. Sir'Dominic Pointer
notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards and Chris Obekpa
continued to be a force on the defensive end by rejecting five shots.
Brandon Young poured in a game-high 21 points for DePaul (), which also
received a double-double of 10 points and 13 boards from Cleveland Melvin,
despite his poor 2-of-11 shooting from the floor. Jamee Crockett and Moses
Morgan provided 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the Blue Demons suffered
their fourth consecutive setback.
The Red Storm took a 38-31 lead into the intermission after they managed to
convert 4-of-8 from 3-point range and 6-of-7 at the charity stripe in the
opening 20 minutes. DePaul shot just 34.3 percent from the field in the first
half.
The Blue Demons charged back after the break by improving to 44.4 percent
field goal efficiency while draining 12-of-13 free throw tries. St. John's saw
its lead evaporate as it went 11-of-27 from the floor in the second stanza.
Jamal Branch made two free throws for the Red Storm with 1:18 left in
regulation to tie it up at 69. DePaul was then called for an offensive
goaltending, Sampson missed a jumper, and Young missed a 3-point attempt in
the closing seconds, creating a need for an overtime period.
Sampson produced an offensive putback with 1:49 left in the extra session to
give the Red Storm the lead for good. Young was called for a flagrant 1 in
overtime which allowed St. John's to create a little more distance on the
scoreboard.
Despite the loss, DePaul held a 52-39 edge in the rebounding battle.
GAME NOTES:
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