QUEENS, N.Y ?The Red Storm (8-1) won for the seventh straight game beating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (4-5) Sunday night in New York 77-59.

It was a five minute stretch to open the second half that highlighted St. John’s victory. B-CU battled back to seven at the half 35-28, playing a solid opening 20 minutes led by junior Kene Anusionwu, who posted nine first half points and three rebounds.

“We fought hard for 25 minutes but we didn’t do a good job in the opening five minutes of the second half,” said B-CU head coach Clifford Reed. “We played hard but we weren’t able to match their intensity, their athleticism ? in that stretch [17-2 run]. They were bigger and stronger and in the second half - they did a good of forcing us into turnovers (12 in the second half). Both teams only had five turnovers in the first half and shot the same amount of free throws. That wasn’t the case in the second half,” Reed said.

Four players posted double figures for the Red Storm led by Sean Evans with 18.

Three Wildcats scored in double digits led by freshman point guard C. J. Reed with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Jarrell Thomas scored 13 points and Anusionwu scored 11 points and four rebounds battling the taller, bulkier, St. John’s front line.

?We have a ways to go,” said Coach Reed. “With all the new players [10], we have guys still learning their roles and in a month and into the conference season ? we will know our identity and who we are as a team. We worked hard tonight and will continue to do that. We’re trying for a split on this road trip to New York and if we do that we will pleased with the trip.”

The Wildcats will take on Long Island University in their next outing, Wednesday, Dec. 17 beginning at  7:30 p.m.