For most of the game, it was more of the same for St. John’s. From allowing the game’s first seven points, to the inability to hit a shot at various stages, to the free throw struggles that plagued the Johnnies under Norm Roberts; it seemed like the Red Storm were intent on turning back the clock and falling to 1-2.

Fortunately, Justin Brownlee had other ideas.

Brownlee had what many would consider the game of his life earlier this morning, posting a career-high 20 points to go along with 8 rebounds as St. John’s overcame adversity and ineffectiveness to defeat Ball State in overtime by the final of 78-73. Even though Dwight Hardy added 12 points of his own, including a 5-of-6 performance at the free throw line during the extra session; Brownlee was there whenever the Johnnies needed a spark. The Georgia native helped ignite a first-half Red Storm run with a three from the top of the key, and saved his most impactful contributions for when they mattered most. Brownlee’s layup in the final minute of regulation tied the game at 63, and he picked up right where he left off in overtime by scoring the first points in the five-minute bonus stanza.

Jesse Berry paced the Cardinals with 18 points; and although he wasn’t as ubiquitous as some would normally expect, D.J. Kennedy had yet another solid game for the Johnnies. “The Hitman” tallied 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, with his triple from the left wing in the final minute of overtime serving as the icing on the cake, as it put St. John’s ahead 70-65. Ball State would cut the deficit to just three before Hardy’s two final free throws sealed the outcome.

While the Red Storm shot 51% from the field, they were only 16-of-30 (53%) at the charity stripe, something Steve Lavin must find a remedy for before St. John’s (2-1) tips off tomorrow night against Drake in the semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout.