St. Johns Basketball: 3 takeaways from triumph over Boston College

St. John’s Basketball: 3 takeaways from triumph over Boston College

NEW YORK , NY - MARCH 11: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the Big East Conference Men's Basketball Tournament First Round game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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St. JohnÕs Basketball Nick Rutherford Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

#1: Red Storm shot 58% in the 1st half

St. John’s was off to a cold start in the first half, trailing 19-9 five minutes into the contest. The Golden Eagles started the game on fire, banking in six of their first eight shots

The Red Storm quickly reversed the momentum and took its first lead of the game at 34-32 with 5:49 left in the 1st half.

The final ten minutes of the 1st half resembled a flashback to last season’s BIG EAST Tournament comeback win over Georgetown for St. John’s fans. The Red Storm, led by Alexander and Champagnie, closed what was arguably St. John’s best half of basketball under Mike Anderson on a 23-8 run.

Alexander, who is slowly taking over the hearts of St. John’s fans, finished the first half a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including two three balls, for 16 points.

Champagnie played 14 minutes in his first action this season after sitting the first two games with an ankle injury. In his return, the Bishop Loughlin grad made 5 of his initial 11 attempts from the floor and was the primary catalyst of the first-half comeback.

Champagnie would make two triples right before the break to increase the Red Storm’s lead to 52-40 at the half.