BIG EAST women’s basketball teams went 3-0 on Monday night and improved to 73-27 in nonconference play this season for a .730 win percentage. No. 22/24 St. John’s won at St. Bonaventure 55-44, Syracuse rolled over New Hampshire 87-46 and Louisville blasted IPFW 100-79.
St. John’s (6-1) never trailed as four starters scored in double figures. Junior forward Da’Shena Stevens led the Red Storm with her fourth double-double in seven game, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds. The win also improves St. John’s to 4-0 against opponents in New York State. STJ has defeated Marist (Nov. 13), Manhattan (Nov. 16), Columbia (Nov. 19) and St. Bonaventure (Nov. 29). STJ has outscored Empire State teams 261-186 (+75) and an average margin of victory of +25.0.
Syracuse (4-0) sophomore Kayla Alexander scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Orange. It marked the 32nd consecutive nonconference home victory for the Orange and the 26th in the Carrier Dome as the team improved to 4-0 for the second-consecutive season.
Alexander was 9-of-12 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe in her career performance, while adding four rebounds, four blocks and three steals.
Six Louisville players scored in double figures as the Cardinals (4-3) earned another road win. Freshman starter Sheronne Vails netted a game-high 22, shooting 11-of-14 from the field. Louisville raced out to a 16-0 lead and held a 42-25 advantage at halftime. In the second half, Louisville scored a season-best 58 points, including nine 3-pointers. The Cardinals also allowed a season-worst 54 points as IPFW shot 74.2 percent over the final 20 minutes (23-of-31).
