St. John’s women’s basketball returned to Carnesecca Arena Saturday, Feb. 2, defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles 77-67. Saturday was also the team’s “Think Pink” game to raise awareness of breast cancer.

After trailing at halftime, St. John’s won their first comeback game of the season.

“Settle down but keep playing hard,” St. John’s coach Barnes-Arico told her team at halftime.

Leading all scorers was Monique McClean. She finished with 24 points and was a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line.

By containing Marquette’s leading scorer Krystal Ellis to only eight points, Kia Wright managed to halt one of the most dominant players in the conference. Wright scored 21 points herself and assisted her teammates six times.

“She really had [Ellis] frustrated,” Barnes-Arico said. “Kia was tremendous on her.”

Eleven lead-changes kept the game close until the fourth quarter. Despite a season-low eight points, Marquette’s Ellis had four rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore Janelle Harris contributed 17 points and eight rebounds to the Golden Eagles.

“We are getting better every day,” Barnes-Arico said. “We’ve gotten our confidence back.”