Aliyyah Handford. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
In a game that featured two team’s familiar with postseason play in the New York Area, on this day it was the St. John’s Women’s Basketball team (23-10) that was the victor by a final of 77-63 against Fordham (21-12) in the Second Round of the WNIT.
It was a back-and-forth battle that saw many nail biting moments, in the end though four players from the Red Storm finished in double-figure scoring to lead the team to the Round of 16 for the third time in team’s history.
Leading the way for St John’s was Aliyyah Handford who recorded her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 19 of her game-high 23 points in the first half and pulling down 10 boards, nine of which came on the defensive glass. The Newark, N.J., native also dished out four assists and converted on 10 of her 20 attempts from the floor.
Jade Walker continues to impress on the floor for the Red Storm, finishing with 17 points, going 8-from-12 from the field. Danaejah Grant had 16 points, while Amber Thompson tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals, three assists and a pair of blocks.
St. John’s 77-point effort marked the team’s best offensive output of the season. Prior to Sunday, the team’s single-game high had been 75 points in a loss to DePaul on Jan. 16.
Sunday also marked the first time that the Red Storm (23-10) had four players finish in double figures since the team’s Dec. 11 victory over UCF.
Emily Tapio. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
Fordham did not go down without a fight as Senior Emily Tapio, in her final game of her collegiate career led the way with 19 points. Tapio went 8-of-10 from the field, while also playing aggressively throughout the night.
Graduate student Tiffany Ruffin recorded 19 points, while also dishing out five assist and Hannah Missry had 11 points, including three that were connected from downtown for Fordham.
The Red Storm will now take on BIG EAST rival Villanova in its next WNIT showdown, traveling to The City of Brotherly Love for a Thursday night tilt in The Pavilion.
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following postgame videos:
St John’s Women’s Basketball:
Featuring:
Head Coach Joe Tartamella along with student-athletes Aliyyah Handford and Danaejah Grant:
Fordham University Women’s Basketball
Featuring Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley
For more information on the St John’s University Women’s Basketball team fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
For more information on the Fordham University Women’s Basketball team fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
For more information on the WNIT fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: