After a dominant win over Yale, the St. John’s basketball team entered its tilt on Wednesday with one purpose: making a statement.
The No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowgirls imposed a tough challenge on the Red Storm, one that wouldn’t be easy due to its elite offense that has averaged over 100 points to begin the season.
That didn’t matter as the Johnnies emerged victorious, 74-67.
“They kicked our butt,” Oklahoma State head coach Jacie Hoyt said. “They were on the floor for 50-50 balls before us. I mean, every loose ball went their way because they were out hustling us.”
The Red Storm (4-1) immediately applied pressure on the Cowgirls, ending the first half on a 16-8 run to take a 35-25 lead entering halftime.
The group was doing exactly what head coach Joe Tartamella preached the game prior in forcing turnovers and not allowing Oklahoma State (5-1) to consistently score from the 3-point line.
The Cowgirls, which heavily rely on its offensive success to be based around their shooting performances, made just one field goal in the second quarter and shot 6-for-20 in the first half.
However, Oklahoma State would kept itself afloat behind a 9-2 run through the opening five minutes of the second half which eventually turned into a two-point lead, 43-41, with 2:35 left in the third quarter.
The Red Storm and Cowgirls entered the fourth quarter tied at 47, but St. John’s scored the first basket of the final quarter and never looked back.
With both teams desperately searching for a play to pull away, Janeya Grant drained a corner 3-pointer to put the Johnnies up seven, 58-51, with 5:43 left.
St. John's could taste victory, one they fought tooth and nail for, to compete with a high-powered offense they limited to under 60 points.
It was the first time since January 1, 2024 that the St. John’s women’s basketball team defeated a ranked team, which came in a victory over Marquette.
“Every game is so huge,” said Tartamella. “We still are in the spot where we have to be better. I’ve done this long enough to know you have to be prepared for the most important game, which is always your next one.”
The Red Storm, again, played team basketball, shooting 59-percent from the field, with every player who touched the court scoring at least three points.
But the biggest advantage for St. John's was its ability to consistently limit Oklahoma State to one shot on most possessions, out rebounding the Cowgirls by ten, 37-27, and only allowing eight offensive rebounds.
Wednesday night was the first time since Jan. 1, 2024, the St. John’s women’s basketball team triumphantly defeated a team ranked in the AP Top 25, their last being a victory over their conference rivals in Marquette.
With an impressive start, the Red Storm will look to continue surging ahead as they face Central Connecticut State (0-4) on Monday night (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+) in its final tune-up prior to the Cayman Islands Classic.