After two underwhelming performances in scrimmages against Rhode Island and Maryville, St. John’s came out with a hounding intensity that displayed why they have received national attention.
First Half
St. John’s came out and aggressively on the defensive end, forced 13 turnovers, and held Loyola to 5/20 from the field with no made three-pointers.
Unfortunately, with aggressive defense came cheap fouls that piled up for the Red Storm in the first half. St. John’s committed 14 fouls in the first half. Foul trouble for Justin Simon and Sedee Keita held the pair to only 7 minutes and 4 minutes, respectively, in the first half.