Valiant St. John’s Effort Not Enough In 71-61 Loss To Georgetown

Playing for the first time since a demoralizing 22-point defeat at the hands of Cincinnati, St. John’s found themselves in a game they could have won. Unfortunately for them, they once again ran into a better team.

Another afternoon of 20-point performances from D’Angelo Harrison (24 points) and Moe Harkless (20 points) was not enough for the Red Storm (10-15, 4-9) as they fell to 11th-ranked Georgetown (19-5, 9-4) by the final of 71-61.

“We really took a step forward after our last two games,” assistant coach Mike Dunlap said after the game. “When we got it down to one possession, we just couldn’t level the score. We needed to make a shot and we couldn’t do it.”

St. John’s faces a short turnaround after this game with a Tuesday night collision with Seton Hall, and our lasting impressions will help put a wrap on a positive showing in our nation’s capital.

Lasting Impressions
– First and foremost, the Red Storm’s ball control was the best it has been all season. In what was a clean game all around, St. John’s committed only six turnovers in what served as their second-fewest total on the year.

– The Red Storm were knocking on the door several times, but a turnover in the closing minutes led to a three-pointer from Georgetown guard Jason Clark that ultimately iced it for the Hoyas.

– When previewing this game, it was noted that St. John’s plays better as a unit when the Red Storm has nothing to lose. Today was no exception, as hardly anyone gave St. John’s a fair shot on the road against the No. 11 team in the nation. The Red Storm responded by keeping the outcome of the game in doubt until the aforementioned Clark three gave Georgetown enough of a cushion to clinch the win.

– Finally, D’Angelo Harrison picks up game ball honors for this one. Although he may be the streakiest of the six scholarship student-athletes on the roster, Harrison continued his surge with 24 points to eclipse the 20-marker plateau for the fifth time in his last seven games. When Harrison is able to score as easily as Moe Harkless, the Red Storm cannot be counted out of any contest.