INDIANAPOLIS – St. John's dominated the first and fourth quarters to pull out a 47-35 win over Butler on Saturday afternoon. Genesis Parker gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game late in the third quarter, but St. John's would outscore Butler by nine in the fourth quarter to find the win column.
 
How It Happened
St. John's held a 10-0 lead at the first media timeout (3:20). The Johnnies turned defense into offense to take control of the action. Over the first six minutes, STJ recorded three blocks, three steals and forced five Butler turnovers. BU's offense was off from opening tip, going 0-for-8 from the field to start the contest. Jaia Alexander hit the first shot of the game for BU, but the 'Dawgs would be limited to just four points over the first quarter giving the visitors a 10-point advantage.
 
Defense was the theme for the start of the second quarter as well. St. John's hit two 3-point field goals to take a 20-8 lead. Drake and Correa each hit from behind the arc allowing them to combine for 12 of STJ's first 20 points. Tenley Dowell and Emilia Sexton would hit back-to-back 3-pointers and cap off a 9-0 BU scoring run before the half. The nine-point swing over the final 2:10 of action would send the two evenly matched teams to the locker room with St. John's leading 22-17.
 
Okako Adika opened up the third quarter with a three from the top of the key to get BU back within two points at 22-20. BU would stay hot from long range as Genesis Parker hit not one, but two triples to keep Butler in range at 28-26. Those two shots marked the first points of the game from Parker, who along with Adika, lead the 'Dawgs in scoring average.
 
Alexander got BU within a point at 28-27 by splitting a pair of free throws and the 'Dawgs would take their first lead of the game on Parker's third 3-pointer of the game with 3:05 to play in the third. Butler outscored St. John's 15-13 in the third, but the Johnnies would hang onto a 3-point lead heading to the fourth quarter 35-32.
 
St. John's opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 scoring run to push their lead to 10 and the Bulldogs would call a timeout with 6:31 to play. Butler's first points of the fourth came from Alexander with 1:27 remaining. The Johnnies secured their sixth win of the season by outscoring Butler 12-3 over the final 10 minutes.
 
Stat of the Game
St. John's recorded 12 blocked shots against Butler and held BU to 22 percent shooting from the field.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Genesis Parker led BU with nine points off three made 3-pointers.
- Jaia Alexander posted eight points and six boards for the Bulldogs.
- Okako Adika recorded seven points and six rebounds.
- Nyamer Diew stuffed the box score with six rebounds, two points, a steal and one block.
- No player on either side had 10 points entering the fourth quarter
- St. John's outscored Butler 28-8 in the paint
- The Johnnies also ran on BU to outscore the 'Dawgs 16-2 in fast break points.
 
What's Next
Butler will play at Villanova on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The BEDN game on FloHoops.com will begin at 7 PM.