Sports

DECKING THE HALL

There was more emotion packed into Carnesecca Arena yesterday than the old band box should have been able to hold.

Anthony Mason Jr., who hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left and put on a shooting display that conjured up memories of Chris Mullin, donned a head band in the first half to honor Eugene Lawrence, the lone scholarship senior for St. Johns. Lawrence was playing his final game in the House That Louie Built.

Red Storm coach Norm Roberts, one day removed from the end of a grueling week of rumor that ended with the university announcing Friday he will be back next season, shed some tears after learning about a serious health issue in his family.

Then there was the game itself. St. John’s rallied from 10 down with five minutes left to edge Seton Hall 65-62, snapping a five-game losing streak and winning metro area bragging rights.

“I don’t think this week was more emotional than any other,” a red-eyed Roberts told The Post.

Sure. If the week was emotional, the game was downright gut-wrenching.

The Red Storm (11-17, 5-11 Big East), was desperately trying to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the conference tournament in the Garden, which is where Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez believed this game should have been played.

The Pirates (17-12, 7-9) had their chances for a possible at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament dealt a serious blow. The Hall headed back across the Hudson more bitter about the loss than the toll increases.

“Next year we’re going to invite them to Walsh Gym,” said Gonzalez of Seton Hall’s on-campus home.

After trailing 32-19 in the first half, St. John’s took a 43-42 lead with 8:26 left only to have Seton Hall answer with a 13-2 run and reclaim the lead at 55-45 with 5:07 left.

Then Mason, who had removed the headband at halftime after going 0-for-2 on 3-pointers, got hotter than the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. He drained three straight 3’s before Larry Wright’s 3 with 1:06 left put St. John’s ahead 60-59.

Justin Burrell hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to push it to 62-59, but Seton Hall’s Jamar Nutter drained a 3 with eight seconds left to tie the score. Then Lawrence, who didn’t score, but combined with Malik Boothe to force Seton Hall point guard Eugene Harvey of Brooklyn into nine turnovers, made an impact on offense.

Lawrence inbounded to Boothe, who slashed through the defense and fed Mason at the wing for the winning 3, his fifth in seven tries.

“I’m not trying to sound cocky and say I know it was good, [but] it felt good,” said Mason.

Seton Hall center John Garcia tried a deep inbound pass, but Burrell, a high school safety, outjumped everyone to knock aside the Pirates’ last chance.

“St. John’s was able to tempo the game and turn it into a meat-grinder game,” said Gonzalez.

Meat grinder is a good description for what Roberts has endured. At least he has a win to lean on during this family crisis, next season to look forward to, and an old gym that still has some ghosts.

“When we play here, this is tough spot,” said Roberts. “It’s a tough spot, when those people feel like crawling right up in your uniform, it’s tough to play here.”

lenn.robbins@nypost.com