PROVIDENCE, R.I. — St. John's can expect a ton of free throws in its next practice.
On Friday night, the charity stripe almost cost the Johnny's a big win.
In the game against Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion, he made 11 of 26 from the line and won 72-70.
St. John's hasn't necessarily been a strong free throw shooting team this year, but they entered the evening shooting a respectable 70 percent from the line.
Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Lewis combined to miss 11 free throws on 23 attempts, and the Johnnys made 9 of 19 after halftime, many with every point at stake. I came in late in the second half.
“We know we have to work on it. We're not going to go out there going for missed shots,” Ejiofor said. “I think we were a little nervous. Obviously, this is our first road game in a noisy environment. It was really loud. That's something we have to work on.”
Pitino didn't seem too worried.
He said St. John's is shooting free throws well in practice.
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He believed that as the mistakes piled up, they got into the players' minds.
Ejiofor is already preparing to spend most of his next practice shooting free throws.
“Close to 500 people,” Ejiofor predicted.
Cadary Richmond was limited to 22 minutes due to aggravated patellar tendonitis.
He was in and out in the second half, recording 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
“He was injured. Even though he's a great player, I'd rather go with a player who's 100 percent,” Pitino said.
Pitino doesn't expect the symptoms to last long and expects Richmond to be fine for its next game against Delaware State, which will be played eight days later on Dec. 28 at Carnesecca Arena.
