The St. John's (10-4) men's basketball team defeated the no. 10 ranked Notre Dame (10-3) Fighting Irish 71-65 at Madison Square Garden today. Despite a 28 point and 18 rebound performance from last year's Big East player of the year Jr. Luke Harangody, Notre Dame was unable to hold off the Redstorm.

St. John's was lead by two sophmores:  F/G D.J. Kennedy scored 19 points and added ten rebounds.  Forward Justin Burrell contributed 18 points and tallied six rebounds, having his best game since suffering three hair-line fractures in his face which has caused Burrell to play with a protective mask since the injury.

The Redstorm played the game without senior forward Anthony Mason Jr (out for the season with a torn tendon in his right foot) and sophomore point guard Malik Boothe.

This team has the potential to be very competitive next year. Mason Jr. will be red shirting, and they have good core of sophomores that will be returning with more maturity.

If St. John's coach Norm Roberts can make believers out of this squad they can make some noise in a tremendously strong Big East Conference. Look for the Redstorm to earn an NIT bid come March and come back for more in the 2009-2010 season.