PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) On an off-night for Big East preseason Player of the Year Shamorie Ponds, St. John's relied on two newcomers to notch the Johnnies most impressive win of the young season.

Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron had a game-high 27 points, including four-of-five from beyond the arc while JUCO transfer LJ Figueroa had 23 points, including 14 points on four-of-five from 3-point land in the first half, to lead St. John's past Rutgers 84-65 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

"Playing with my great teammates, it makes the game a lot easier," Figueroa said of his transition from the JUCO ranks. "Playing with great players like Mustapha, Shamorie, Marv(in Clark II), everybody on the team it shows our potential and what we can do, so the transition wasn't hard at all."