Sophomore guard D'Angelo Harrison scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half Tuesday to help the St. John's Red Storm rally and collect a 77-74 victory over the Detroit Titans in a men's college basketball game at Carnessecca Arena.
Harrison, who began the Johnnies' season opener on the bench, started the second half and seemingly played his way out of head coach Steve Lavin's dog house by helping his team overcome a 10-point second-half deficit.
Trailing 60-53 with 9:22 remaining, St. John's used a 14-2 run, capped by a jumper by Harrison, to take a 67-62 lead with about three minutes left. The Red Storm hung on by going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
Though, Harrison was the hero, freshman Chris Obekpa was the game's biggest defensive factor blocking a school-record eight shots. The 6'9 center also grabbed nine rebounds and seven points.
Sophomore forward Amir Garrett compiled a double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds) and was the only other St. John's player to score in double digits.
St. John's (1-0) trailed 37-29 at halftime thanks to 10 first-half turnovers and being out-rebounded, 23-21. The disparity changed in the second half where the Red Storm committed just six turnovers and out-rebounded the Titans, 19-12.
Detroit (1-1) was paced by junior guard Ray McCallum's team-high 21 points. McCallum was 8-for-23 from the floor including 4-for-12 from behind the 3-point arc. Senior guard Jason Calliste (18 points) and sophomore forward Juwan Howard Jr. (10 points) were the only two Titan players in double figures.
On Thursday, St. John's plays its second of four games during the week as it travels to Charleston, SC to play in round one of the DirectTV Charleston Classic Tournament. The Red Storm with face the Charleston Cougars in Game 1. The winner gets either the Murray St. Racers or Auburn Tigers on Friday.