This time it was a last second three-pointer by junior Shenneika Smith that lifted St. John’s to a 57-56 upset over No. 2 Connecticut, snapping the Huskies’ 99-game home court winning streak.
It was the Huskies' first home loss to an unranked opponent in 261 games, a streak dating back to March 17, 1993, when Louisville defeated the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament. It was the first win for St. John’s over UConn since January 6, 1993.
“I thought it was a great basketball game, especially for us, and we really stepped up to the challenge,” said Barnes Arico, who recently became the winningest women's basketball coach in St. John's history. “They showed what we are capable of doing and what kind of team we are heading down the stretch of the season.”
St. John's had won seven of its last eight games, six-straight on the road. With Saturday night’s victory and last Sunday’s 61-52 win at then-No. 17 Rutgers, the Red Storm has defeated two-straight ranked opponents on the road.
Trailing by two with 16 seconds left, junior point guard Nadirah McKenith drove the lane and kicked it out to Smith, who hit the three-pointer to give the Red Storm (18-8, 10-3) the lead.
UConn (24-3, 11-2) had one final chance, but Bria Hartley's three-point attempt from the corner was short, setting off a wild celebration at midcourt by the Red Storm.
McKenith and senior forward Da'Shena Stevens had 15 points each for St. John's. Smith finished with 11.