WBB Notes - 2.22 Update
Saturday In #BIGEASTwbb: St. John's 77, Seton Hall 76
The Hall jumped out to a 24-8 first-quarter lead as the Red Storm missed their first eight attempts from deep, but the St. John’s drought was short-lived as they made seven of their next 12 and rallied from the 16-point deficit. The Red Storm shot nearly 60 percent from the field in the second and third quarters, combining for 50 points during that stretch, including 24 points in those 20 minutes for Leilani Correa who finished with a game-high 32 points. Desiree Elmore gave The Hall a one-point with 21 seconds remaining, which lasted until four seconds were left as Kadaja Bailey and Tiana England tipped away the inbounds pass in front of the Pirates’ bench and Bailey was fouled before heading to the line to sink the game-winning free-throws. Bailey finished with 17 points and 10 assists, while a remarkable three Seton Hall players notched double-doubles, including 22 points and 12 rebounds for Alexis Lewis. Both squads were without key players as St. John’s Alissa Alston (12.0 ppg) and Seton Hall’s Mya Jackson (10.3 ppg) did not play.
Full Recap
Why We’re Watching …
12/12 DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): Aside from the actual game itself, this one has a lot of meaning – it will mark Villanova head coach Harry Perretta’s final regular-season game at the Finneran Pavilion. Perretta is retiring at the end of the season after 42 years at the helm. Two of the longest tenured and most respected head coaches in the BIG EAST will go head-to-head in what is sure to be an emotional game, as the Wildcats will also recognize their senior class, including Mary Gedaka, whose mother Lisa Angelotti was the 1988 BIG EAST Player of the Year. Perretta and DePaul head coach Doug Bruno have combined for nearly 1,500 wins, including over 500 BIG EAST victories.
Marquette at Georgetown, 2 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): The Golden Eagles remain a win away from clinching a BIG EAST Tournament First Round bye. MU saw its three-game winning streak snapped on Friday night at Villanova and will look to bounce back from a poor shooting night. The Hoyas are upset-minded and will aim to collect wins over teams high in the standings to use at tournament tiebreaking time. GU could end in a three-way tie in the standings with Providence and Xavier, so every high-seeded win could prove pivotal, should they all split their regular-season series. Marquette swept the Friars and Musketeers, so this is a great opportunity for the Hoyas.
Providence at Butler, 2 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): Butler scored an impressive sweep over Creighton with Friday’s win at Hinkle, and will look to keep it rolling against a Providence squad which already knocked off one time in the top half of the standings within the last week. The Friars limited the hot-shooting Bulldogs to just a .246 clip from the field when they met in January, but Butler escaped with a three-point win, 50-47.
Creighton at Xavier, 2 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): Xavier scored an impressive win on Friday afternoon to split the season series with Providence. Though the Musketeers are set on playing in the BIG EAST Tournament First Round, a win over Creighton could prove valuable if the Bluejays finish high in the standings and XU finds itself in a three-way tie with Georgetown and Providence. Creighton will look to bounce back from an uncharacteristic night of turnovers against Butler and score the season sweep of the Musketeers. Temi Carda scored 26 points last time these two teams met and the Bluejays committed just nine miscues.
Up Next
Sunday
12/12 DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m.*^
Marquette at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*^
Providence at Butler, 2 p.m.*^
Creighton at Xavier, 2 p.m.*^
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN