St. John’s Rolls Past Iona in Madison Square Garden Debut

St. John’s opened its season at Madison Square Garden with a commanding win, pulling away from Iona for a 104-65 victory on November 8. The No. 13 Red Storm improved to 2-0, while Iona was led by Ore Odutayo’s 12 points and former St. John’s captain Sadiku Ibine Ayo’s 11.

Tounde Yessoufou led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 9 for 14 and making four three-pointers. Making his first start for St. John’s, he grabbed seven boards, recorded three steals and blocked two shots. Ian Jackson added 17 points, and Quinn Ellis finished with 11 assists and seven points. Keyshawn Hall scored 13, Lefteris Zsombo Maronka had 12, and Lefteris Liotoupoulos added 10.

Jackson scored St. John’s first nine points, and the Red Storm built a 54-23 halftime advantage after closing the half on a 21-4 run. Their pressure defense helped force 19 Iona turnovers, and St. John’s recorded nine steals. The Red Storm shot 55.2% from the field and made 13 of 28 attempts from three-point range.

Yessoufou made two three-pointers early in the second half and left the game after his final basket put St. John’s up by 39. The Red Storm will host Colgate at Carnesecca Arena on November 11. Iona is scheduled to visit Fordham on November 10.