The Storm brought intensity at both ends of the court as a lackluster Duke team had few answers for Steve Lavin’s basketball team.

“I thought our team from the outset executed with precision on offense,” said Lavin. “We also brought great intensity to the defensive end of the floor.”

In a number of games this season, the Red Storm struggled with putting two strong halves together costing them crucial victories, however against the reigning NCAA champions, they combined energy, patience, execution and good judgement all game long.

“We were able to maintain a high level of basketball for 40 minutes,” said Lavin. “That was definitely the difference today.”

Senior guard Dwight Hardy, led the St. John’s attack scoring a team-high 26 points connecting on 9 of 13 shoots including 2 of 3 behind the 3-point arc. Hardy was also perfect from the foul line making good on all six free throws.

“I think we were clicking early on offense,” said Hardy. “When we are able to click early, we get extra energy on defense.”

St. John’s (12-8) held the Blue Devils to 29.6% shooting from the field in the first half and forced 11 turnovers which is one more than Duke commits on average, per game. The Blue Devils missed their first ten 3-point attempts converting on only one of thirteen attempts in the opening half.

Guard Nolan Smith led the Blue Devils with 32 points but also committed four of the team’s uncharacteristic 17 total turnovers for the game. On the season, Duke has shot 40 % from behind the 3-point arc but made only five 3-pointers and shot at an abysmal 19.2% for the game against the Storm.

“I felt like we were ready,” said Smith. “The guys wanted to play but they [St. John’s] came out from the jump and kicked our butts.”

Aside from Hardy, Justin Brownlee scored 20 points adding nine rebounds and six assists. Paris Horne added 15 points along with six assists as the Storm shot 58.2% from the field for the game. D.J. Kennedy and Sean Evans added 10 points apiece as St. John’s finished with five players in double figures.

The Red Storm finally finishes a stretch of playing eight consecutive Top 25 teams managing three victories over Duke and conference rivals Georgetown and Notre Dame.

“We have the second toughest schedule in the country,” said Lavin. “I am glad for our players to get this big win to renew their spirits and put the wind back in their sails for the journey ahead.”

The team has very little time to celebrate its big win at the Garden as they resume their BIG EAST Conference play against the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers before heading out west to take on the Bruins of UCLA in their final non-conference game of the season.

“This was a huge win for us,” said senior Justin Burrell. “But we need to sustain our efforts and win more games to play in the NCAA Tournament.”