This is not the kind of beginning Chris Mullin was hoping for in his second season at his alma mater.
St. John’s lost to Delaware State, 79-72, on Tuesday night at Carnesecca Arena, the Red Storm’s fifth straight loss.
Delaware State entered the game with a 1-5 record, their only win coming against Division III Summit on opening night before they dropped five straight. The Hornets finished 7-25 last season, 5-11 in the MEAC.
On offense, Delaware State (2-5) made 58 percent of its shots from the floor and 53 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Defensively, they relied on a zone for most of the game.
“I don’t think [we overlooked them],” Mullin said. “We always talk about not fearing anybody but respecting everybody. We went through our regular preparation. [Delaware State] had to go out there and make those shots and I don’t think you can deny that. We’ve got to give them credit.”
St. John’s was coming off a trip to the Bahamas where it dropped three straight to Michigan State, VCU and Old Dominion.
“I don’t think we played with enough energy,” said guard Federico Mussini, who had 11 points. “We have to work on that, especially after a week of four losses. We need to play with more energy and play hungrier.”
Devin Morgan led Delaware State with 26 points.
Bashir Ahmed tallied a career-high 19 points and 7 rebounds for St. John’s, Shamorie Ponds had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Marcus LoVett went for 13 points.
“I think it bodes well for what teams in our league can do,” Delaware State coach Keith Walker said. “We have some very good basketball teams in our league. We often have to play games at disadvantages. I thought St. John’s did a good job. When I was watching them play, I was very concerned with that guard play. I thought that guard play was excellent. We were able to slow them down, because if we had allowed them to play the pace they are accustomed to, it would have been a contest in their favor. I’m very happy we pulled this win out.”
Early-season struggles were to be expected from this Red Storm squad, which has started three first-year players and a pair of sophomores in each of its last four games. According to KenPom.com, the Red Storm is the second youngest team in the country with an average of just 0.75 years of Division I experience for every player on the roster.
St. John’s travels to Tulane (2-5) on Friday where they will face former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy, now the head man for the Green Wave.
Photo: USA Today Sports
