Shamorie Ponds scored 26 points in an 89-69 win over Marquette.
MBB Minute -- St. John's Handles Marquette, Three Games Set for Wednesday
St. John’s guard Shamorie Ponds scored 20 points by halftime on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and led his team to an 89-69 victory over Marquette before a sellout crowd at Carnesecca Arena on New Year’s night.
Ponds finished with a game-high 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He shot 4-of-7 from 3-point range. All five St. John’s starters reached double figures. Marvin Clark II added 22 points and seven boards while making 7-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. St. John’s outshot Marquette from the field 53.6 to 41.9 percent.
Marquette, which had its eight-game winning streak end in losing its conference opener, was led by freshman Joey Hauser’s 15 points. Markus Howard was held to a season-low eight points.
The Wednesday schedule shows three conference battles with Butler, Georgetown and Villanova playing their first BIG EAST contests.
Butler and Georgetown are playing each other at 7 p.m. ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse on FSN. The road team has won the last four meetings between the two teams with the Hoyas taking an 87-83 decision last year at Hinkle.
FS1 has a doubleheader beginning with Seton Hall at Xavier at 6:30 p.m. Both teams won their league openers. The Pirates beat St. John’s 76-74 and the Musketeers won 74-65 at DePaul. Xavier took both meetings against Seton Hall last year, including a 102-90 win at Cintas Center.
Villanova hosts DePaul at Finneran Pavilion at 8:30 p.m. on FS1. The Wildcats have off since an 81-58 win over Connecticut on Dec. 22. Villanova has won the last 16 meetings against the Blue Demons.