Sports

Rugged sophomore Point-ing the way for St. John’s

It’s not a stretch to suggest St. John’s chances against DePaul in Chicago on Saturday depend on how well rugged sophomore wing Sir’Dominic Pointer plays.

Of the Red Storm 10 wins, the 6-foot-5 Pointer has figured in prominently in most of them. Statistics don’t necessarily attribute his impact — diving for a loose ball or tipping a rebound to a teammate doesn’t show up in the score sheet.

Of course, his two highest point totals of the season came in non-league victories over Florida Gulf Coast and St. Francis College and he supplied defensive prowess and much-needed energy, scoring eights points in the team’s last victory, a 67-63 win over No. 20 Notre Dame on Wednesday.

“I’ve always said he’s the heart and soul of our team,” St. John’s coach Steve Lavin said. “If you were to go back and do a study, his minutes of productiveness and our team’s runs and comebacks, even last year, the couple games I coached, he was right in the middle.

“He just brings that Tasmanian devil energy, an Energizer Bunny, the straw that stirs the drink.”

Pointer takes pride in that role, one he has held his entire career. He gets a kick out of locking down the opposition’s top players, banging against bigger bodies on the boards, drawing the ire of the other team with his physical play and throwing down a big dunk.

“I try to bring it every game as best as I can,” he said. “My whole life I’ve been an energy guy, the hustle plays, that’s what I like to do.”

If Pointer brings it on Saturday, based on recent history, St. John’s will likely head back to Queens victorious, 3-3 in the Big East. A victory would not only continue St. John’s (10-7, 2-3) momentum from the big win over Notre Dame, but possibly get the Red Storm on a roll. If there is a soft part of the Big East Schedule, this is it, as the game against DePaul is followed by matchups with Rutgers, Seton Hall and DePaul again.

“This is a very good chance for us to get some great wins and better oru chances of making the tournament,” Pointer said.

zbraziller@nypost.com