11/02/2026 08:18:00
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11/02 20:01 CST Keyshawn Hall scores 26 points in impressive debut as No. 13
St. John's beats Monmouth 78-63
Keyshawn Hall scores 26 points in impressive debut as No. 13 St. John's beats
Monmouth 78-63
By LARRY FLEISHER
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) --- Keyshawn Hall made his first six shots and scored 26 points
in an impressive debut, leading No. 13 St. John's to a 78-63 victory over
Monmouth on Monday night in the season opener for both teams.
Among 11 newcomers for Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino in his fourth season with
the Red Storm, Hall scored 20 by halftime and shot 9 of 16 from the floor. The
transfer from Auburn also finished with nine rebounds and made all seven free
throws in 33 minutes.
Ian Jackson, one of five returnees from the Johnnies' first Sweet 16 team since
1999, added 13 of his 15 points after halftime. Jackson, a preseason first-team
All-Big East pick, shot 6 of 12 before fouling out.
Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou had 12 points and new point guard Quinn Ellis
from England scored eight. Ellis also had seven assists and five of the Red
Storm's 13 steals.
The Red Storm (1-0) shot 41% and went 6 of 20 from 3-point range at Carnesecca
Arena on campus in Queens.
Despite Hall's solid debut, the Johnnies struggled for much of the second half
and led 59-47 with 9:07 remaining before Jackson hit a pair of 3s in 56 seconds
for a 19-point cushion a few minutes later.
The Red Storm made seven of their first eight shots as Hall scored nine of
their first 16 points in the opening minutes. He made his sixth straight shot
by hitting a 3-pointer for a 31-16 lead with about nine minutes left in the
first half, and his putback gave him 20 points with 4:13 left before the Red
Storm held a 45-29 lead at halftime.
Before the game, the Red Storm unveiled their newest banners for winning their
second straight Big East regular-season and tournament titles along with
banners commemorating their 2026 NCAA Tournament appearance and Sweet 16 trip.
St. John's lost standouts Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell from
last season's 30-win team.
Jakai Sanders led Monmouth (0-1) with 17 points and Madison Burr added 15. The
Hawks shot 42.9% and committed 18 turnovers in their fifth meeting with St.
John's.
Up next
Monmouth: Will play Rhode Island on Saturday.
St. John's: Will host Iona on Sunday in the first of 13 regular-season home
games at Madison Square Garden.
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