Harrison leads St. John's to comeback win
D'Angelo Harrison hits a three-pointer during big win over Texas-Pan American. (Dec. 21, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
D'Angelo Harrison saved St. John's from embarrassment against Texas-Pan American, scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 36 seconds left in a 66-61 Red Storm victory Wednesday night at Carnesecca Arena. But the most important number in the box score might be the 15 minutes off the bench from newcomer Amir Garrett.
He's not exactly the cavalry riding to the rescue, but the addition of Garrett to St. John's undermanned roster is crucial on a couple of levels. The 6-6 swingman was one of three members of a nine-player recruiting class who failed to qualify academically, but he remained loyal and worked hard at Bridgton Academy in Maine to gain his eligibility. On the most basic level, he again gives the Red Storm a seven-man rotation after the recent decision of point guard Nurideen Lindsey to transfer.
Garrett scored only three points and had two rebounds in his debut, but he was working without a net, having practiced only at the morning shootaround before playing against Pan Am (4-10). Asked how comfortable he was in the offense, Garrett said, "To be honest, I was completely lost. I just tried to go to the open spot."
As a recent Cincinnati Reds draft pick, who received a $1-million bonus as a lefthanded pitcher, Garrett certainly had other options. But he remained true to his commitment to play basketball for the Red Storm. "It was more of a pride thing," Garrett said. "My mother told me, 'Never quit when things get tough. You don't run away.' I wasn't going to give up on them. They didn't give up on me."
Assistant Mike Dunlap said coach Steve Lavin, who missed his seventh game while following his rehabilitation schedule from prostate cancer surgery, told him to play Garrett right away, and he agreed.
"No. 1, he's a talent," Dunlap said. "No. 2, we need the body. And Amir sacrificed a lot to come here, and I wanted him to know we appreciate the fact he showed loyalty to our program in a tough situation."
St. John's (6-5) made it look easy early, running up a 19-9 lead over the smaller Broncos as God'sgift Achiuwa, who led the Storm with 22 points and nine rebounds, hit his first four shots. But Pan Am took off on a 23-5 run for a 32-24 lead and built a 12-point margin in the second half. But Harrison scored the first 12 points in a 25-11 run that gave the Red Storm a 57-55 lead.
Then Jared Maree (15 points) and Brandon Provost (13 points) hit back-to-back threes to put the Broncos back in front, 61-57, with 3:45 left. Playing tough man-to-man defense, St. John's forced four turnovers and three missed three-pointers the rest of the way, and Harrison hit a deep three for a 62-61 lead as the Red Storm scored the final eight points.
"I was wide open," Harrison said of his winning shot. "I had a feeling it was going in."
