St. John’s basketball valiant comeback effort falls short against Villanova

St. John’s basketball dropped a heartbreaker in overtime against Villanova. 

There has not been much to smile about this season for the St. John’s basketball program but the highlight of the season was developing on Monday night.

The Red Storm (4-9, 1-7 Big East) never led against Villanova (9-2, 4-2 Big East), who was playing its first game in over two weeks, and trailed by as many as 18 points, before rallying in the fourth quarter to fall in overtime, 81-78.

Qadashah Hoppie did not play due to injury and the ‘Cats were just too potent for the Johnnies to handle until the fourth quarter.

St. John’s waited, and waited, and waited and then head coach Joe Tartamella mixed some pressure with a zone defense and the tide began to turn as Leilani Correra, Unique Drake, and Kadaja Bailey took over offensively.

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The Red Storm ended the final quarter on a 15-3 run as Bailey hit a layup with 3.2 seconds to go to tie things at 65.

Villanova looked tired but the Wildcats has another run in them.

After only scoring nine points in the fourth quarter, Villanova exploded for 16 points in five minute extra session and were able to hold on after star Maddy Siegrist fouled out after scoring 24 points.

St. John’s was led by sophomore star Leilani Correa who dropped a game-high 29 points on 12-of-29 shooting but was 1-of-9 from three-point range and 4-of-10 from the free throw line.

Drake and Bailey both added 19 points in the losing effort as Bailey brought in 14 rebounds while Drake dished out five assists.

St. John’s basketball continues road trip on short turnaround

St. John’s will quickly board the bus in Pennsylvania and head to the nation’s capital to face the Georgetown Hoyas (1-5, 1-5 Big East) on Wednesday afternoon.

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The Red Storm are in the midst of a five game road trip that includes a visit to Storrs, Connecticut to face the No. 3 Huskies on February 3.

Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30pm EST between the Johnnies and the Hoyas.