Jamaica, N.Y.  Syracuse used a second half surge to earn a 75-46 BIG EAST win over St. Johns tonight at Alumni Hall. After a close first half, the Orangewomen outscored the Red Storm 45-19 on 65.4 shooting from the field in the second half. Syracuse improves to 8-11 overall and 3-5 in conference play, while St. Johns falls to 7-12 and 1-7.

Syracuse opened a 7-0 lead to start the game. The Red Storm did not score until 17:46 when sophomore Patrycja Gulak (Olsztyn, Poland) hit a short jumper. The Orangewomen had an 11-5 advantage, but the Red Storm scored the next six points to tie the game on a jumper by junior Shemika Stevens (New York, N.Y.). Junior Kati Kurtosi (Miskolc, Hungary) hit a layup off a pass from junior Reka Szavuly (Miskolc, Hungary) to keep the game tied at 13. The Red Storm took their first lead (15-13) of the game on a steal and layup by Stevens. Kurtosi tied the game again (27-27) on her second layup of the night with 41 seconds remaining in the first half. Syracuses Rochelle Coleman knocked her third three of the half to give the Orangewomen the 30-27 lead at the break.

Szavuly kicked off the second half with a three to tie the game at 30. Syracuse scored the next six points and began to pull away. Beginning with a basket by Tierra Jackson at 13:12 for the 42-35 lead, Syracuse went on an 18-0 run over the next 3:24. The Orangewomen connected on 12 consecutive shots, converting 17-of-26 for the half, to seal the 75-46 win.

For Syracuse, Coleman hit four more threes in the second half for seven total (7-13) and finished with a career-high 27 points (10-17) on the night. Shannon Perry posted 21 on 7-10 shooting. April Jean grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, while Julie McBride dished out 10 assists.

After putting up 14 first half points, Stevens was held to just two after the intermission. Stevens shot 50.0 percent from the field and had four assists, three steals and three rebounds.

Senior Danielle Rainey (Los Angeles, Calif.) was held to just nine points in the game, her first game with less than 11 points since Dec. 4 at Delaware. Rainey pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and recorded three assists and two steals.

Szavuly and Gulak each added five points.

The Red Storm shot an uncharacteristic 38.5 percent (5-13) from the foul line, while Syracuse knocked down all nine of its attempts.

The Orangewomen grabbed 38 rebounds and shot 42.1 (8-19) percent from three-point range. St. Johns shot 32.1 (18-56) from the field and had 29 boards.

The Red Storm return to action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the University of Pittsburgh. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 pm.

St. John's vs. Syracuse Boxscore