Missouri vs. St. John’s Advocare Invitational final score: Tigers outlast Red Storm in Orlando

Despite a career-high 31 points from sophomore guard Shamorie Ponds, the St. John’s Red Storm took a 90-82 loss to the Missouri Tigers Friday afternoon in Orlando.

Missouri got out to a 16 point lead in the first half before St. John’s cut it to six at the break. By the 12 minute mark in the second half, the Red Storm led by eight.

However, Missouri prevailed down the stretch, thanks largely to the three-point shooting of Jontay Porter and Kassius Robertson. The duo hit nine threes in the game, seven of which came in the second half. All seven came after St. John’s pulled out to that eight point lead. It’s tough to hold a lead when the opposing side has that kind of sharpshooting. The Tigers shot 14-27 from long range overall.

Ponds’ effort for the Red Storm can’t be overstated, though. While he was an inefficient 13-27 from the field, he kept the team afloat when they went down big in the first half, and scored 18 first half points. Bashir Ahmed came to the rescue in the second half, when he scored 15 of his 17 points. Justin Simon continued his strong start to the season with nine points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. At the end of the day, St. John’s couldn’t weather the storm of the three-point shooting. It happens. That’s the point of Feast Week, challenge yourself and see where you need to improve.

The game also featured 45 fouls, which is how you know James Breeding was one of the officials.

The Red Storm now have two days off before they face the loser of Friday evening’s West Virginia/Central Florida game on Sunday.