PROVIDENCE, R.I. — RJ Luis Jr. was named to a pair of All-American groups this week, and he performed like one in his NCAA Event debut.
The 6-foot-7 junior, who was Large East Participant of the Week and Large East Event Most Excellent Participant, dominated in second-seeded St. John’s 83-53 blitzing of No. 15 Omaha at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
He poured in 22 factors on 8-of-14 taking pictures and added eight rebounds and two assists.
Most spectacular, Luis was unconscious from deep, making a season-high 5 3-pointers.
As a group, St. John’s hit an NCAA Event program document 14 from distance on 37 tries, persevering with to enhance upon its outdoors taking pictures late within the 12 months.
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“I didn’t know we hit 14 3s,” Luis stated afterward. “We’re not bad shooters. It’s just about moving the ball and getting open looks and shots and shooting the ball with confidence. Definitely if we’re able to keep shooting the 3s, it’s going to be pretty interesting.”
Luis’ 3-point shot has actually come on. Since Jan. 11, he’s taking pictures 41.1 % from past the arc.
The St. John’s bench continues to make an affect.
The unit was important throughout the Johnnies’ run to their first Large East Event title in 25 years, and it produced once more Thursday night time.
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Deivon Smith led the cost, notching eight factors, six rebounds and three assists within the one-sided victory.
Vince Iwuchukwu could have had the most important basket of the sport, a 3-point play within the last seconds of the primary half that gave St. John’s a five-point edge at halftime.
The Crimson Storm took over from there. Total, the bench scored 22 factors.
On Thursday, St. John’s coach Rick Pitino was named the Henry Iba Nationwide Coach of the Yr by the USBWA.
He’s the second Johnnies coach to win the award, becoming a member of the late Lou Carnesecca, who received it in 1983 and ’85.
Pitino can be honored on the annual USBWA Awards Dinner on April 17 on the Missouri Athletic Membership in St. Louis.
Former St. John’s and Seton Corridor guard Dylan Addae-Wusu was behind the Crimson Storm bench for the sport. Addae-Wusu may be very shut with Kadary Richmond and Sadiku Ibine Ayo. … St. John’s booster and billionaire entrepreneur Mike Repole was in attendance.
