St. John’s Erases 16-Point Deficit to Stun Providence, 62-55

QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John’s women’s basketball delivered a statement win Sunday, storming back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Providence 62-55 at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm (8-2, 1-1 BIG EAST) outscored the Friars 36-13 over the final 15:57, including a dominant 23-9 fourth quarter, to secure their seventh consecutive home victory over Providence.

The afternoon began ominously for St. John’s, who fell behind 18-8 after the first quarter as Providence rode a 12-0 run and capitalized on early Red Storm turnovers. At halftime, the Johnnies trailed 30-22, with the Friars’ defense stifling St. John’s offensive rhythm. Providence extended its lead to 42-26 midway through the third quarter, but the Red Storm refused to back down.

St. John’s mounted a furious rally behind junior guard Brooke Moore, who finished with a team-high 16 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and scoring eight points in the pivotal third quarter. Shaulana Wagner stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Sa’Mya Wyatt continued her efficient season with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. The Red Storm shot 72.7 percent in the fourth quarter, turning defensive stops into transition buckets.

Head coach Joe Tartamella praised his team’s resilience and execution down the stretch. “I thought we had a great finish to the game. We finally found our legs and our energy level,” Tartamella said. “That game could’ve gotten away from us in a number of moments. I was really proud of how they finished.” He added, “We felt our pressure grinded them down enough where they got a little fatigued. Our communication was better, and we rebounded the ball a little bit better.”

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Moore credited the team’s never-quit mentality, saying, “That’s just the character of our team. We’re competitors and we’re never going to give up. We started off slow in the first half, but we picked it up in the second, especially in that fourth quarter.” Wagner, who orchestrated several key plays, added, “I used to play football. I was a quarterback, so I really have fun passing the ball. I see the spots that defenders don’t really see or think about. It’s part of my game. I’m just going to have fun doing it.”

Key stats from the win included a 49% shooting mark from the field, 65% at the line, and a 31-29 rebounding edge. St. John’s forced 20 Providence turnovers, converting them into 19 points. The Red Storm also dominated the paint (30-28) and outscored the Friars 11-9 on the fast break. Moore led all scorers, while Wagner and Wyatt’s versatility proved decisive in the comeback.

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With the win, St. John’s heads into a non-conference matchup at Stony Brook on Wednesday, Dec. 10, carrying momentum and confidence. The Red Storm will look to build on their late-game execution and team chemistry as they continue their December road swing.

Red Storm Related News:

• Moore’s Double-Double Not Enough as Creighton Hands St. John’s First BIG EAST Loss
• St. John’s Catches Fire in Victory Over Memphis, 84-73, to Close Cayman Islands Classic
• St. John’s Outlasts Georgia Tech in Dramatic Fashion to Open Cayman Islands Classic, 77-75