Nov. 13, 2007

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Junior guard Monique McLean led three players in double-figures as the St. John's women's basketball team won its season-opening game, 72-58, against Army at Christl Arena in West Point, N.Y.

McLean got the team's offense going in the second half and scored 17 of her 21 points in the final stanza. She also came close to her first double-double of the year with a team-high eight rebounds. She also added five assists on the night.

The rest of the scoring story for the St. John's offense was the play of its junior newcomers. Kelly McManmon chipped in 13 points while Kristin Moore added 10.

Newcomer Sky Lindsay got the start in her first collegiate game, playing 36 minutes with seven points, four assists and two rebounds.

Contributing off the bench for the Red Storm was Angel Tate with eight points and five boards and Recee Mitchell with nine points and three rebounds.

To earn the victory, the Red Storm had to overcome an early deficit and then fight off a late Army come-back attempt. In the end, St. John's got its offense going and maintained its rhythm the remainder of the way, shooting 46.7 percent from the field, including a 53.3 mark in the second half.

The Black Knights opened up the first half with a 7-0 run. After St. John's scored four points to cut the deficit down to three, Nalini Hawkins extended Army's lead to five off a jumper. The Red Storm quickly responded as Tate scored two on a layup, cutting the deficit down to three, 9-6.

After both teams traded baskets for a while, the Red Storm took its first lead after Mitchell hit a pair of free throws at the 10:49 mark. The lead changed hands one more time and the score was tied before St. John's went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for the remainder of the way.

In the second half, Army came within two points of the when Cara Enright drained a three pointer with 8:52 remaining, but St. John's closed out strong and eventually jumped out to its largest lead of 17 points, 72-55, with 1:03 remaining.

The Red Storm will continue its road swing this weekend when it travels to participate in the University of Vermont Tournament. St. John's will open action against NC State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Sunday's opponent and tine will be determined after the first day of the tournament has concluded.