Red Storm Win Great Alaska Shootout

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Justin Brownlee scored 20 points Saturday night and St. John's defeated Arizona State 67-58 to win the Carrs-Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

The Red Storm (4-1) shot just 26 percent from the field in the first half. Ty Abbott's third and fourth 3-pointers gave the Sun Devils a 23-11 lead with 4:44 remaining. It was 30-20 at the half.

St. John's turned up the defensive pressure and stormed back in the second half.

With Arizona State (3-2) clinging to a four-point lead with 6 minutes left, Paris Horne tipped in a missed free throw.

Malik Stith stole the inbounds pass and scored, then stole another one at the other end and drove the length of the floor for a layup, making it 53-51 St. John's.

"Our defense and pressure became more aggressive in the second half. The five guards made the difference," said Lavin. "We were opportunistic in transition in terms of making steals and converting into them into layups. With the five-guard line-up, we were able to get out on their shooters and get some runouts in the half-court as well."

Dwight Hardy scored 14 points and Paris Horne added 11 points. Stith scored eight of his 10 points in the second half as the squad closed out the game on a 25-9 run to claim its first regular season tournament title since the 2005 Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival.

Abbott led Arizona State with 22 and Trent Lockett had 10.