St. John's falls to Northeastern, 78-64
Northeastern's Joel Smith knew exactly where to attack St. John's matchup zone.
And he exploited those holes with regularity, getting career highs in three-pointers (7) and points (29) Saturday in Northeastern's 78-64 win over the Red Storm in a non-conference game at Carnesecca Arena.
"We knew the weak spots were the corner and things of that nature," Smith said. "But they're a great defensive team and I was at the right place at the right time."
In addition to Smith's hot shooting, St. John's played without coach Steve Lavin. Lavin, who's been on a modified coaching schedule since prostate cancer surgery on Oct. 6, missed the team's regular-season opener against William & Mary and Tuesday's 63-48 win over St. Francis (NY).
Assistant coach Mike Dunlap took the reins again.
"Our system stays the same. Our coaches are pretty much similar. They're all confidence builders and they all coach pretty consistent," St. John's sophomore guard Nurideen Lindsey said. "So dealing with coach Dunlap every day in practice, we're pretty familiar with how he coaches and what he wants us to do."
Dunlap, who said he always prepares as if the head coach won't be there, agreed with Lindsey.
"I think that they read us," Dunlap said. "Each day is the same for us . . . And basically their only read would be on how the staff handles ."
One positive the Red Storm took from the loss was the play of God'sgift Achiuwa, who had a combined nine points in his previous three games, including just two points against St. Francis.
The junior forward led St. John's with 17 points and nine rebounds; Lindsey added 16 points and six rebounds.
"After each of those games my teammates came to me and said I really had to get it going," Achiuwa said. "Everybody has to be on point every game. They came to me and talked to me in practice, in the locker room and everything."
In addition to Lavin's absence and Smith's hot shooting, the Red Storm (4-3) also were doomed by another slow start as Northeastern (3-1) got the lead 26-14 at 10:52 in the first half.
Lindsey, whose team has faced first-half deficits of nine points or more in four of its previous six games, couldn't explain the sluggish start.
"I have no idea. That's something we talk about every day and something that we're trying to figure out," he said. "I think as the season goes on it'll definitely improve and get better if we work hard every day."
The Red Storm looked as if it was going to take control after a dunk by Sir'Dominic Pointer gave them a 43-42 lead with 13:41 left. But a couple of turnovers mixed in with two three-pointers and a layup by Smith put Northeastern back on top, 70-55, with 4:24 left.
Jonathan Lee had 17 points and Kauri Black chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds for Northeastern, which shot 59 percent from the field in the second half.
"As everybody knows this is a new team. And we're still a work in progress," Achiuwa said. "We learn every day. And that's what coach Lavin and Dunlap emphasizes in practice."
