NEW YORK (AP) — Shenneika Smith scored 21 points and Nadirah McKenith added 17 to help No. 18 St. John’s beat Iona 71-55 on Wednesday.
Briana Brown scored six straight points to blow the game open midway through the second half. The Red Storm (3-1) led 41-34 with 13:07 left before the junior guard had a layup, two free throws and a jumper to make it a 13-point game.
McKenith’s three-point play moments later capped the 9-0 run. Iona could only get within 11 the rest of the game.
Aleesha Powell scored 13 points and Damika Martinez added 11 to lead Iona (2-3).
The Gaels were coming off a 69-point loss to then-No. 3 Duke on Sunday. Iona trailed 27-11 with 6 minutes left in the first half before using an 11-0 run to close to 27-22.
Brown’s 3-pointer with 1:05 left ended the drought and gave St. John’s a 30-22 halftime lead.
