Big East 2016-17: Shamorie Ponds and St. John’s knock off Butler (Highlights)

What a sizzling start for Shamorie Ponds and St. John’s vs. the Big East in upsetting No. 13 ranked Butler.

• St. John’s Red Storm 76 (7-7, 1-0)
• Butler Bulldogs 73 (11-2, 0-1)
• NCAA, Final, Box Score
• Carnesecca Arena, Jamaica, Queens

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s been an inconsistent stretch so far for the St. John’s men’s basketball this season, but, lately, they’ve been on a roll.

After crushing Syracuse at the Carrier Dome by 33 points, St. John’s pulled off another impressive victory on Thursday night, upsetting No. 13 Butler in the Big East opener at Carnesecca Arena.

With a career-high 26 points and seven boards, Shamorie Ponds scored 20+ for the sixth time this season. pic.twitter.com/2daWWiI1v2

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

[sc name=”St. John’s Center Right” ]

St. John’s was down by as many as 10 points in the second half but came back late to take the lead and hung on for a 76-73 win.

St. John’s improves to 7-7 while Butler falls to 11-2.

Once again, freshman Shamorie Ponds came up big down the stretch for the Red Storm. He scored a total of 26 points and also hit four clutch free throws in the final 9.1 seconds.

Bashir Ahmed had 19 points for St. John’s.

After winning a total of only one game in Big East play, St. John’s already won their first Big East game in their opener.

It’s been an up and down stretch so this win has got to be a great feeling for St. John’s. They may not be tourney ready yet but they are definitely more competitive along with more talented.

Ponds, and Ahmed, along with another freshman in Marcus Lovett, have already proven what an impact they make as youngsters.

St. John’s could go through more inconsistent stretches and show their inexperience, but they definitely have proven, in their wins, that they are a bonafide team on the rise. This win against a top 20 team should boost their confidence as their Big East games continue.

The Red Storm rallied for a 76-73 victory over No. 13 Butler behind a career performance from freshman Shamorie Ponds @ShamorieP #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/cma6t8orPg

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

Bashir Ahmed finished with 19 points, five rebounds and three steals helping the Johnnies to their second-straight win #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/wTBEKgZAgE

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

Tie game!!!! Malik Ellison with the steal and score to knot it at 69! pic.twitter.com/DknCw8SWqF

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

Butler with six unanswered. #SJUBB trails 56-49. Ponds with eight of the team's 11 second-half points. pic.twitter.com/z8HC0bwzLW

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

15:58 to go in the second half, #SJUBB trails 45-42. Ponds with the first points of the half for the Red Storm. pic.twitter.com/UlW7eSRVr7

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

Bashir Ahmed is the first Johnny in double figures tonight #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/q0za3HI6lt

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

Grab your 🍴 in Queens. Bashir Ahmed is cooking for @StJohnsBBall.

A quick flurry cuts @ButlerMBB lead to 1 on @FS1. #MarchToMSG pic.twitter.com/elJssQX2Qb

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) December 30, 2016

Bashir Ahmed with the Johnnies' last seven points, #SJUBB trails by one, 21-20, with 7:56 to go in the first half. pic.twitter.com/5KZKKiQ4DA

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

The BIG EAST's leading shot blocker is at it again #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/EhgmJOmQ2h

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) December 30, 2016

[sc name=”Devils Link Next” link=”elitesportsny.com/2016/12/29/st-johns-red-storm-looking-at-transfer-jahmal-mcmurray/” text=”Johnnies looking at transfer Jahmal McMurray” ]