JaKarr Sampson (above) was limited to 12 points on 6-of-17 shooting. (Anthony J. Causi)
BIG KNIGHT: Rutgers coach Mike Rice, who was suspended earlier this season, yells on the sideline during last night’s 58-56 victory over St. John’s. JaKarr Sampson (left) was limited to 12 points on 6-of-17 shooting. (Anthony J. Causi(2))
One step forward, two maddening steps backwards. One Cincinnati victory, obscured by one gut-wrenching loss to Rutgers.
Such is life for St. John’s, an inconsistent young team that hasn’t so much turned a corner as put its coach and fans on an up-and-down roller coaster ride, the latest dip a 58-56 loss last night to the Scarlet Knights at the Garden.
“I knew this year was going to be the most challenging of my career, just because of how young we are,’’ said coach Steve Lavin, whose Red Storm (9-6, 1-2 Big East) followed up an upset win at No. 14 Cincinnati by showing it still has much maturing to do.
“I don’t know what happened. We came up short, the energy we played with at Cincinnati was higher; I don’t know what happened,’’ said freshman Chris Obekpa, whose 76 blocks this season have tied the single-season school record. “I don’t know what was going through everybody’s minds. Every game is the same. You have to come with 100 percent … we have to work on that.’’
D’Angelo Harrison had a game-high 20 points, five assists and five rebounds, but in the final two minutes he had a turnover, missed two huge free throws and settled for an ill-advised 3-point attempt with eight seconds left, down just 58-57. Mike Poole rebounded for Rutgers (11-3, 2-1), hit a foul shot with six seconds to play. JaKarr Sampson’s missed 3 at the buzzer sealed St. John’s fate.
“I had a bigger man [Dane Miller] on me. I should’ve just attacked his feet, forced the official to either call a foul or make a play. I should’ve went to the basket. … So I just learn from it,’’ said Harrison, who appeared to tire from carrying the team.
His free throw put St. John’s ahead 52-51, but Miller — who scored all 11 of his points in the second half — got a friendly bounce on a runner, then added a tip-in for a 55-52 lead with 2:29 to play. St. John’s put the ball in Harrison’s hands, and he drew fouls with 2:09 left and 33 seconds to play, but twice missed one of two.
Harrison’s foul put Myles Mack (team-high 13 points) on the line with 32 seconds left, and Mack calmly sank both free throws for a 57-54 Rutgers lead. And after Sampson’s layup, Amir Garrett rebounded a Mike Poole miss, but Harrison missed a 3. And after Poole added another foul shot, Sampson missed a 3 at the buzzer.
“It was just a lack of concentration. I’m one of the leaders on the team, so when the ball’s in my hand on the free-throw line, I have to convert,’’ said Harrison. “I’m going to go when we get back to school and shoot free throws. I’m going to learn from it.’’
There was plenty of blame for the Red Storm, who shot just 15-of-27 from the stripe and 35.2 percent from the field. And even though St. John’s held Eli Carter to just five points on 2-of-12 shooting, the experience of seniors Miller and Austin Johnson (10 points) exploited and underscored its own inexperience.
“It’s nice to have seniors, guys who’ve been through the wars and respond the right way,’’ said RU coach Mike Rice. “You know what Steve’s going through, with playing so many young guys. That will pay off on the future.’’