Johnnies routed by Friars
KYRON CARTWRIGHT and Alpha Diallo both posted double-doubles and Providence caught fire in the second half to cruise to a 94-72 victory over host St. John’s on Thursday night in the Big East Confer- ence opener for both teams.
Cartwright hit five 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 21 points and handed out a career-best 15 assists for the Friars (10-4), while Diallo contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds. Rodney Bullock scored 20 on 8-of-11 shooting and Jalen Lindsey scored 18 on six 3-pointers as Providence handed the Red Storm (10-3) their first loss at home this season. Marvin Clark II tossed in a careerhigh 20 points for St. John’s, which trailed by a point at intermission before being outscored 53-32 in the second half. Shamorie Ponds added 16 points and six assists, while Bashir Ahmed scored 12.
Providence began to pull away five minutes into the second half when Cartwright buried three 3s in a 10-2 run to put the Friars up 62-53. Providence hit 11 of 16 (69 percent) from long range in the second half and finished 16 of 30 (53 percent). St. John’s struggled from beyond the arc, making 7 of 28 (25 percent).
HARTFORD 60, RUTGERS 58: John Carroll scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Hassan Attia scored 11 points to go with another nine rebounds as Hartford pulled off its first win at Rutgers, edging the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers needed a late 20-5 run to recover from a 13-point deficit late and hold off Hartford last season.
J.R. Lynch and Jason Dunne each had 14 points and combined to hit six 3s for the Hawks.
Hartford (7-7) took at 39-35 lead with 15 minutes left in the game and pushed it to 43-36. Rutgers eventually took the lead at 55-53 with 2:34 left on a Mike Williams 3-pointer. Hartford tied the game at 55 before taking the lead on a dunk by Attia.
Corey Sanders and Mike Williams came off bench to spark Rutgers with 17 and 13 points, respectively. Drawing a backcourt foul, Sanders hit three free throws to get the Scarlett Knights (10-5) within one, 5958 with :47 left, but missed a jumper with :14 left for the lead. Jason Dunne hit the first of two free throws to create the final margin. —AP