St. John’s lets upset chance slip away in frustrating loss to No. 5 UConn
HARTFORD, Conn. The game, and the national buzz that would come along with it, was there for the taking.
A six-point halftime lead. Connecticut star center Donovan Clingan unavailable due to a foot injury. The Huskies struggling against the St. Johns zone.
All it took was a few more made shots. Some good fortune. Neither, unfortunately, happened down the frustrating stretch.
So St. Johns heads into the week-long Christmas break a disappointed group, unable to knock off undermanned fifth-ranked UConn at XL Center on Saturday night. The defending national champions survived, pulling out a 69-65 victory that really couldve gone either way.
We are coming as a basketball team. We are coming, coach Rick Pitino said. It should be a nice Christmas for these guys because they played their hearts out, they gave everything they had, and they lost on the road to a decent team.
We had this game, we shouldve won it, but we are growing. Three weeks ago, UConn wouldve won by 25 today.
4 Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) drives the ball against Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) and guard Hassan Diarra (10) in the first half at XL Center on Wednesday. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConSt. Johns (8-4, 1-1) sure had its chances after Jordan Dingle and Glenn Taylor Jr. hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to give the Johnnies a two-point lead with 4:15 left.
But very little went right the rest of the way.
St. Johns managed just two more points. Chris Ledlum missed two free throws with 17.7 seconds left and a chance to tie, and Daniss Jenkins missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 5.3 seconds left.
Pitino was far more upset at the two extra opportunities St. Johns gave UConn (11-2, 1-1) in the final 3:31 one of which enabled the Huskies to pull even on a Stephon Castle follow and the other that allowed them to drain the clock in the final minute.
4UConn’s Alex Karaban, top, battles St. John’s Chris Ledlum (8) for a loose ball during the first half on Saturday. APWe lost the game because we didnt block out, Pitino said. Its a missed opportunity, but its the best game weve played all year. The rebounding really bothered me, because it was Ledlum versus UConn guard Cam Spencer. Thats not right.
Joel Soriano led St. Johns with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Jenkins had 13 but missed nine of his 13 attempts as St. Johns shot just 38.5 percent from the field and made just 4 of 18 attempts from 3-point range.
Samson Johnson, Clingans replacement, led Connecticut with 16 points, and Spencer and Tristen Newton each had 15.
Initially, the stage seemed a bit too big for St. Johns the large crowd, the top-ranked opponent.
The Johnnies missed their first five shots. Connecticut scored 11 of the games first 14 points. It was getting loud at XL Center very early, the Huskies fans sensing blood.
4UConn’s Tristen Newton (2) shoots against St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor (24) and Chris Ledlum (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. APBut then Pitino switched to zone the same zone that flummoxed Xavier on Wednesday. St. Johns settled down. Ledlum hit a 3-pointer. It finally got the ball inside to Soriano.
The Johnnies reeled off seven straight points and went on an extended 19-6 lead to go up five and took a six-point edge into the break.
UConn came out for the second half like it did the first.
After Taylor scored to extend the St. Johns lead to eight, the Huskies rattled off 10 consecutive points, waking up the crowd.
4Huskies guard Cam Spencer (12) and guard Tristen Newton (2) react after defeating the St. John’s Red Storm at XL Center. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConSpencer started with a 3-pointer after getting a rare clean look from deep, Newton converted a 3-point play and Johnson found himself all alone for a dunk, and UConn had its first lead since midway through the first half.
The foul began to pick up for both sides. With 12:18 left, Soriano picked up his fourth foul, sending the big man to the bench.
The two teams combined to take a combined 39 free throws over the final 20 minutes, 22 by the Huskies.
Its driving me crazy and I keep complaining about advantage-disadvantage, Pitino said. If theres a rebound, theres a little contact, dont call the foul. Then the guy has to come out. It doesnt affect the goddamn play. Let the kids play. If it doesnt affect the play in any way both teams why do you call it? It doesnt make any sense to me.
The Hall of Fame coach wanted to be clear: He was not faulting the officials. The game was there to be won, and his team didnt take it. Still, he left arena optimistic.
Since an ugly loss to Boston College two weeks ago, the Johnnies crushed Fordham, manhandled Xavier and nearly won at Connecticut. Their defense has gone from 127th in the country in efficiency to 62nd.
I think were getting closer to what we want to be, Soriano said. Were definitely taking steps, but were still not where we need to be.
How many decks are used in poker?
In most popular poker variants, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha, a standard deck of 52 playing cards is used. Each deck contains four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) and consists of 13 ranks (Ace, 2 through 10, and the face cards: Jack, Queen, and King).
What is the bonus code for WPT Global Poker 2023?
The best bonus code for WPT Global is WPT777. By entering the bonus code, players will get a welcome bonus 100% up to $1,200 on the first deposit. The minimum deposit is $20.
What is the best WPT Global bonus code?
Use the WPT Global bonus code WPT777 when registering to get a 100% deposit bonus up to $1200 plus a $100 No Deposit poker bonus.
