St. John's loses to St. Mary's in Lavin's debut

MORAGA, Calif. - Steve Lavin was too busy trying to pull St. John's out of its second-half funk to worry about the significance of his return to coaching. Seven years away from the sideline hasn't done much to change his single-minded focus.

Lavin is still the same full-speed-ahead guy he's always been. The only difference is he's in New York after spending most of his career at UCLA.

"When I get to April, I'll be able to reflect on those things more," Lavin said after St. John's lost to St. Mary's, 76-71, early Tuesday morning.

The game, part of ESPN's Tip-Off marathon, began at 11 p.m. PST, but that didn't stop fans from packing McKeon Pavilion. Many jeered Lavin, who spent the past seven years as a college basketball television analyst.

Wearing a black suit and red tie, Lavin paced in front of the bench. He clapped furiously when St. John's scored and prodded his players after mistakes.

Lavin lost his cool momentarily late in the first half when D.J. Kennedy appeared to get hit in the mouth while pursuing a rebound. Kennedy lay prone on the court as play continued, and when no call was made, Lavin argued and received a technical.

It was that kind of night for St. John's, which couldn't stay with the faster, more polished Gaels (2-0). Freshman Dwayne Polee's 16 points led the Red Storm.

"I knew this game would be an opportunity to see where we're at and build on it," Lavin said. "Playing five or six patsies right out of the gate and blitzing them by 30 or 40 does nothing for the growth of your team. These games are really where you take quantum leaps."- APStorm lures Uniondale's Meikle. Lavin landed his seventh recruit of the early-signing period that ends Wednesday. Dwight Meikle of Uniondale, a lithe 6-9, 185-pounder who can play either forward position, is returning to New York. Meikle is enrolled at Quality Education Academy in North Carolina and averaging 13.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.