Fordham vs. St. John’s final score: Red Storm turns to Ponds and magic 3-ball for win

Some people have the Magic Eight Ball to turn to for success. St. John’s they has the magic three ball. The Red Storm put on another show from beyond the arc in their 90-62 win over Fordham in the eighty-eighth meeting between the two schools.

With no Marcus LoVett, St. John’s turned to Shamorie Ponds, their other dazzling freshman to lead the way. He got things underway for St. John’s with an opening three-pointer which was the perfect way to start things off tonight, given the way St. John’s has been beyond the arc. That opening three ball would not be the only contribution from Ponds who has gotten better with each game. Thursday night was no different.

Ponds led the Red Storm in three stat categories in the victory. He finished the night with mark of 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 7-of-11 from beyond the three point line. He lead the way in assists and steal as well, with four steals and nine assists for the Red Storm. Just one assist short of a double-double performance. It was his second straight game with at least twenty points. He was a big fish in a small pond tonight for St. John’s.

Along with Ponds, St. John’s got a stellar performances from a whole cast of characters. Federico Mussini had one of his best games of this season as well coming off the bench. Much in the same vain as Ponds, Mussini had a 20-point night against the Rams, his second 200point game this season with the first one coming against Bethune-Cookman. He shot the ball at a rate of 7-of-9 shooting, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. The only issue for Mussini was turnovers, as he led St. John’s tonight with four.

Tariq Owens had a banner night in the frontcourt, posting 10 points and leading the night with four blocks. He also ran into some foul trouble, finishing the night with four fouls. His mates in the front court had decent showings as well, with Amir Alibegovic leading the Red Storm with eight rebounds and Kassoum Yakwe garnering four points in the tonight’s effort. Yakwe once again found himself in foul trouble, fouling out of tonight’s game.

As a team, St. John’s shot the ball at a rate of 58.2% from the floor, 48.4% from three point range, and 78.6% from the foul line. It was the fourth straight game for St. John’s where they made at least ten three-pointers. They once again came close to tying their record of sixteen three balls in game, but ended the night with fifteen three pointers. Elijah Holifield, who made a late game cameo appearance, made the final three pointer for St. John’s.

The Red Storm won the battle of the boards with ease out-rebounding Fordham to a tune of 41 to 21. St. John’s moved the ball around once again with ease, as well with 24 assists to Fordham’s 11.

For Fordham, Chris Sengfelder led the way for the Rams with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, six of those seven shots made came from beyond the three point arc. Backing up Sengfelder were the efforts of Will Tavares with 14 points and Javontae Hawkins with 11 points. Hawkins also led the Rams in rebounds tonight with five.

As a team, Fordham shot the ball at a rate of 35.7% from the floor, 38.5% from three point range, and 80.0% from the foul line.

St. John’s currently find themselves in the midst of a three-game winning streak. Their first true winning streak so far this season. How long it will last is left to be seen, but at the moment their play has been gaining confidence with each game.