St. John’s basketball used a balanced effort in a major-bounce back victory over Butler.
After a crushing loss on Saturday, the St. John’s basketball team needed to play desperate on Tuesday night against Butler (3-7, 2-5 Big East) at home and it did exactly that.
The Johnnies (7-6, 2-5 Big East) used a balanced, team-effort racing out to a 10-point lead at halftime and withstanding a second half run from the Bulldogs, winning 69-57.
“We’re tired of losing,” sophomore star Julian Champagnie said following the team’s victory in which the Johnnies never trailed.
Following his 33-point outburst in the loss to Creighton the Brooklyn, New York native ended with 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks.
However, the biggest development was the absence of Isaih Moore, who was inactive due to “not meeting the standards of the program”, as first reported by Zach Braziller of the New York Post.
The seldom played junior forward Josh Roberts started in place of Moore and put forth his best game of the season with eight points and three rebounds in 23 minutes.
ALSO READ: St. John’s enters another ‘must-win’ scenario against Butler
“My player of the game is Josh . 100-percent,” Champagnie added. “We told him in the locker room after the game if he didn’t play like this, we wouldn’t have won. He was phenomenal.”
“I think it’s his time,” head coach Mike Anderson said in speaking of his 6-foot-9 forward, “I think Josh has been patient and stayed positive, This is his opportunity.”
But there could be more playing time for Josh Roberts, not only because he deserves it but because the status of Moore is uncertain going forward.
“We’ll see,” Anderson said about Moore.
“We talked about not living up to team standards…I’ll address it with him in the next couple days.”
Anderson also said that the junior college transfer has not been at practice in the last couple days.
Isaih Moore is the second player to be publicly disciplined by Mike Anderson in his time at St. John’s as Ian Steere was suspend for a portion of last season and ultimately transferred following the year.
St. John’s basketball has new life in chaotic season.
Despite dropping four of five Big East games to begin conference play, things are looking up for St. John’s who can make things interesting on Saturday.
The Johnnies host Marquette (6-6, 2-4 Big East) with a chance to catapult themselves in the middle of the jam-packed Big East standings.
Freshman guard Posh Alexander was much more aggressive in his offensive and defensive attack with ten points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
ALSO READ: St. John’s guard David Caraher takes leave of absence
Champagnie and Alexander were the only players who reached double-figurers for the Red Storm but eight of the ten players that stepped on the court scored for St. John’s on Tuesday night.
Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00pm EST (Fox Sports 1) on Saturday between the Red Storm and Golden Eagles.