Kia Wright led all players with 17 points as the St. John’s women’s basketball team topped Boston University, 64-53, in the season-opener for both teams Friday night in Carnesecca Arena. Wright was one of four Red Storm players in double figures, while senior forward Danielle Chambers grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds to go with 12 points.
St. John’s (1-0) never trailed in the contest, as it jumped out to a 10-2 lead at the 13-minute mark behind six early points from Wright. She finished the first half with 10 points and St. John’s held a 33-19 halftime lead.
Angela Clark scored the first points of the second half, as she grabbed an offensive rebound off of a Wright miss and finished the put-back to put St. John’s up 35-19. Clark, along with Chambers, was dominant in the post as she notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The junior forward also swatted three shots to match a career-high three blocks.
St. John’s continued to pull away in the second half, eventually gaining its biggest lead of the game at the 14:43 mark. Freshman Monique McLean made a jump shot to put the Red Storm up by 27.
Although Boston University (0-1) battled back to come within 10 points with three minutes remaining, St. John’s converted free throws and controlled the boards down the stretch to win by a final score of 64-53.
McLean had a solid outing in her first collegiate game, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds and a block.
Wright was 7-for-15 from the field, including the Red Storm’s lone 3-pointer of the night. Chambers, meanwhile, led all players with her career-high 17 rebounds (seven offensive) and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.
The Terriers were led by Cheri Raffo, who tallied 13 points and three rebounds, and Rachael Vanderwal, who finished with 15 points. BU was playing without preseason all-conference selection Katie Meinhardt, who was sidelined with an injury.
The St. John’s reserves came up with important offensive production as well, as the Red Storm bench scored 20 points. Sophomore Tiina Sten replaced Chambers, who was whistled for two early fouls, in the first half and finished with 17 minutes, six points and three rebounds.
NOTES
St. John’s won its season-opener for the third year in a row … Red Storm head coach Kim Barnes Arico is 3-1 in season-openers during her four seasons in Queens … St. John’s improved to 23-9 all-time in home openers … Danielle Chambers’ 17 rebounds were a career-high … St. John’s Director of Athletics Chris Monasch, along with Donald and Eleanor Taffner, presented Barnes Arico with a replica of the WNIT banner that now hangs in Carnesecca Arena in recognition of her 2004-05 squad’s participation in the postseason tournament prior to the game.
