St. John's basketball sophomores shining as second half surge downs Quinnipiac

Monday night it was Simeon Wilcher who took command of a St. John's basketball victory, on Saturday afternoon it was Brady Dunlap. The sophomores have made the jump many had hoped and are ready bring the Johnnies to the next level.

"I think last year, at this time, we would've lost this game," Rick Pitino said after the 96-73 victory over Quinnipiac.

While the final score was decisive, the first half was anything but as the Bobcats took a 4-point lead, 39-35, at halftime. The Red Storm looked slow and sluggish before a 3-point barrgae from Dunlap, who finished with a career-high 20 points.

“I think Brady is the reason we blew them out," Pitino added.

The sophomore was 5-of-7 from 3-point range, hitting three shots from distance in a 61-point second half for the Johnnies.

Dunlap, however, is familiar with the success but is going to handle it much different than he did last season.

"Last year I had a couple of good games, and I got too high, and this year I just got to stay level-headed," he explained. "That was a good team win out there today. We really bounced back in the second half, really showed our character."

St. John's had four players score at least 13 points in the victory, including a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds from RJ Luis and 13-point, 10-assist showing from Deivon Smith.

Momentum in the second half flipped when Wilcher put the Johnnies in the lead, 45-43, with a left handed dunk and hit a 3-pointer on the next possession. It was an advantage St. John's would not relinquish.

North Texas transfer Aaron Scott, who had 12 points in 24 minutes during the season opening victory over Fordham, was limited to just three minutes due to an illness. Kadary Richmond was also quiet, attempting just three shots and finishing with three points, six rebounds, and six assists.

St. John's (2-0) will continue its home stand against Wagner (1-1) on Wednesday night (6:30 p.m. ET, FS2) from Carnesecca Arena.