By Adam Martini
A season of tough breaks turned to heartbreak on Saturday afternoon for the St. John’s Red Storm. St. John’s dropped a 69-47 decision to Big East rival West Virginia at Alumni Hall, but the game’s outcome was secondary to a real lose.
Before the contest, the team learned that senior Rasheedah Brown’s mother passed away earlier in the day. St. John’s did not disclose the nature of her illness, but observed a moment of silence before the start of the game.
Red Storm players, who wiped away tears during the national anthem, took the court with heavy hearts and Brown’s No. 15 inked on their arms. They took a while to channel their emotions and it showed on the court.
Kate Bulger dropped in her second three-pointer of the game at 12:38 of the first, as the Mountaineers raced out to a 20-5 lead. The sophomore guard quickly scored 11 points, but missed her last five shot attempts of the half. She came back in the second with a flurry of three-pointers to key the game’s decisive run.
“[Bulger] is as good a shooter as there is in the league,” said West Virginia head coach Mike Carey, who won his 300th career game.
St. John’s (3-18, 0-10) dressed only seven players, but managed to climb back in the game by attacking West Virginia’s pressure. Mary Pat Statler, who scored a team-high 17 points, provided the spark.
The freshman guard started a 23-11 run with two free throws at 10:14. She knocked down two three-point shots, the second with 4:49 left in the first, and two more free throws. The Red Storm trimmed its deficit to 31-28 by halftime.
“It’s frustrating to lose, but we are never outworked,” Statler said. “If you judge wins and losses on heart, we’d win every game.”
Amanda Rawson played well in the post for St. John’s. The 6-foot-1 junior forward scored 10 points — seven in the first — and grabbed six rebounds. Still, the Red Storm was unable to sustain any offense as the short roster was saddled with foul trouble. Sophomore Nora Gyuris was limited to seven points and sophomore point guard Shemika Stevens, who fouled out in the second, scored five.
“The ball just didn’t fall for us,” said interim St. John’s head coach Pechone Stepps. “When that happens, you get frustrated. But the attitude and effort was there.”
West Virginia (12-9, 4-5) received little contributions from double-figure freshman starters Yolanda Paige and Sherell Sowho. The duo shot a combined 1-for-12 from the field. Paige did help the offense with seven assists and Sowho scored six late points when the game was all but over to keep from being shutout.
Bulger and Brandi Batch filled the scoring void in the second. Batch, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, scored the Mountaineers’ first six points of the second to give the team breathing room.
Two free throws by Batch at 14:18 opened up the lead to 41-33. Bulger caught fire with three second half three-pointers, the last putting West Virginia way in front, 61-40, with 5:01 left to play.
Bulger finished with a game-high 22 points and Batch added 19 points and 11 rebounds. The rest of the Mountaineers shot 6-for-26, leaving Carey less than thrilled despite the 22-point victory.
“We have not played well for the last three games,” Carey said. “But St. John’s was undermanned today, so give them credit for competing.”
Brown, who missed the first two weeks of the season due to a team suspension, returned to the lineup with a bang. She quickly asserted herself as the team’s leader and offensive catalyst. There is no timetable on her return.
After the game, thoughts of losing the game took a back seat to Brown’s well being.
“The team is here for [Brown],” Stepps said. “She’s a strong young lady with a bright future ahead of her on and off the court.”
Reach contributing writer Adam Martini by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
