March 17, 2005

Box Score

Newark, DE - Angela Clark's 15 second half points, led the Red Storm to a 48-42 win over Delaware in the first round of the WNIT Tournament. The Red Storm's win is the first postseason victory and marks the first 20-win season in 17 years for St. John's (20-10). Delaware's season ends at 25-6.

The Red Storm outscored Delaware 8-2 in the opening minutes of the second half, including three-straight baskets by Clark, and took a 34-24 lead with 16:00 on the clock. Six minutes later, Alena Koshansky sank a three for the Blue Hens, cutting it to eight, then, with just under five minutes remaining, Koshansky sank two more threes to pull Delaware within four.

Clark's lay-up on the next play put St. John's back on top by six with 4:39 left in regulation, but Tyresa Smith hit a basket for the Hens and cut the lead back to four with under three minutes to play. Neither team would connect over the next 1:45, and, with St. John's still holding a four-point advantage, the Blue Hens were forced to foul.

With 44.1 seconds remaining, Greeba Barlow sank the front end of a one-and-one, putting the Red Storm up by five. The Blue Hens missed a three-point attempt on the far end, and put Clark back on the line for St. John's on the next play. She also hit one-of-two, but after another Delaware miss, Barlow went back to the line and hit two for St. John's, sealing the win by giving them a 46-40 lead with 23.4 to go. Delaware's Julie Sailer hit a last second shot, making the final 48-42.

In the first half, St. John's pulled out to a four point lead with just over 11 minutes remaining on a three-pointer by Greeba Barlow. Delaware fought back, beginning with a three by Liz Hayes on the next play, and would later pull within one with 4:22 left.

Kia Wright's three on the next play put St. John's back up by four and Danielle Chambers came up with a block on the defensive end, giving the Red Storm another opportunity on offense. Barlow sank two free throws, giving St. John's its largest lead, a six point edge with 3:50 to go. The Blue Hens, who struggled from the free throw line during the first half, finally connected on four-straight, pulling within two, but Jenn Jones' grabbed an offensive board and sank a lay-up as the first half expired, giving St. John's a four point lead at the break.

Clark finished with a game-high 18 points for St. John's. Barlow added 10 off the bench. The Blue Hens were led by Tiara Malcom's 10 points.

St. John's will face the winner of the West Virginia/Maine match-up, scheduled for tomorrow at 7 pm, at a place, date and time to be determined.