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Behind Shamorie’s Epic Two Day Performance, St. John’s Outlasted VCU To Take Legends Classic

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On the eve of Thanksgiving,  St John’s fans have a lot to be thankful for. Shamorie Ponds carried St. John’s to a win over California with a 32 point performance, he carried the Red Storm with 35 on an off shooting night for everyone else. It was late, and it took overtime, but St. John’s escaped with a victory against Virginia Commonwealth University for the 2018 Legends Classic title, 87-86.

Shamorie Ponds finished the game with 35 Points (11/25 FG, 1/6 3PT), 4 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 1 Turnover. Ponds’ 67 points in two games in the Legends Classic is a Tournament record.

“He makes those shots. Shamorie has a gift of scoring,” said  St. John’s head coach Chris Mullin. “He’s got an incredible touch. He practices those shots. He has an incredible feel and instinct for the game. He made a few incredibly tough shots; shots that only he could make.”

Issac Vann (30 points) made two free throws with 10.9 seconds left in overtime to give VCU a one-point lead. But Ponds took the inbounds pass and raced the length of the court, banking home the go-ahead bucket from the left side of the lane to finish with a tournament record 67 points in two games, earning MVP honors.

The Legends Classic title is the program’s first since the 2010 Great Alaska Shootout. That team reached the NCAA Tournament — the goal for this year’s team, which already has come from behind in the second half of three wins.

“We were in some tough situations these last two nights,” Mullin said. “We fought back, didn’t hang our heads. That’s really where our experience comes in. They truly believe they can win the games. That wasn’t a fact these last few years.”

St. John’s has a full week off before playing its next game Nov. 27 against Maryland-Eastern Shore at Carnesecca Arena.

“I’m not looking too far ahead, but I do know games like this brings a team together and builds trust,” Mullin said. “We can play better and I think we will get better.”

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